Zarate and Esquivel Fight to Technical Draw in Ontario, Calif.

ONTARIO, Calif.-A head clash ended the night prematurely for a bantamweight showdown between Isaac Zarate and Christian Esquivel and a super lightweight fight lived up to expectations on Friday night.

San Pedro’s Zarate (13-3-3) was just getting warmed up when a clash of heads with Mexico’s Esquivel (29-12-1) caused a cut above the right eye and ended the bout in the second round at the Doubletree Hotel. A technical draw was ruled because of the accidental cut.

The crowd was not pleased.

Both fighters hugged knowing it was the only decision fair to both.

The semi-main event proved to be the best fight of the night.

Mexico’s Mohammed Rodriguez (11-4, 4 KOs) survived a knockdown in the last round to squeak out a split decision victory over Colombia’s Cesar Villarraga (9-4-1, 4 KOs) after eight rounds in a super lightweight contest.

All eight rounds were closely contested with Rodriguez (pictured) seemingly the stronger fighter and Villarraga the boxer and mover. After a few rounds of scant exchanges during the first half of the fight, the action picked up in the second half.

Each fighter took turns landing telling blows with Villarraga finding success with the overhand rights. Rodriguez used the left hook effectively especially when Villarraga tried to evade punches by going straight back. Repeated head clashes took place but neither fighter suffered cuts.

In the eighth and final round both unleashed their best combinations with Villarraga connecting with a counter left hook that crumbled Rodriguez to the mat. The fighter from San Luis Potosi beat the count and managed to evade any more damage from the Colombian boxer.

The judges saw the fight a split decision victory for Rodriguez 76-75 twice and 78-73 for Villarraga.

Other Bouts

Pacoima’s Saul Sanchez (6-0, 4 KOs) whacked out Mexico’s Nestor Ramos (7-7-1) with a single left hook to the body that sounded like a gun shot. That one blow sent Ramos down for more than three minutes writhing in pain. The knockout arrived at 2:06 of the first round of the bantamweight clash.

Another bantamweight contest saw Daniel Guzman (2-1) floor Tijuana’s Jose Mora (1-5) twice with left hooks to the body to win by knockout at 2:32 of the second round. After the second left hook to the liver, referee Zach Young ended the fight for good.

Brandon Trejo (3-0) of Napa, Calif. pounded his way to victory by knockout over Mexico’s Carlos Apodaca. The end of the super featherweight contest took place at 1:21 of the third round as Trejo uppercut his way to the win.

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