Ramos, Castillo, and Hernandez Prevail on Sunday’s PBC Show in Minneapolis

Premier Boxing Champions was back at the historic Minneapolis Armory for a Sunday night tripleheader on FOX. The main event showcased 20-year-old junior middleweight prospect Jesus Ramos who was pit against Brian Mendoza. It was the first main event for the undefeated, heavy-handed Ramos who had won 14 of his previous 16 fights inside the distance.

The nephew of welterweight contender Abel Ramos, Jesus Ramos, an Arizona native who turned pro in Mexico at age 17, was introduced as a rising star by ring announcer Jimmy Lennon. Tonight, he was nothing special although he won a wide decision over Mendoza. All three judges scored it 98-92.

Ramos started slow, but assumed control in round three and finished with a flourish. Mendoza, from Las Vegas by way of Albuquerque, had his moments early in the fight when he was able to keep Ramos at a distance, but he lacked the power to dissuade Ramos from getting inside and bullying him against the ropes.

Other Bouts

Starling Castillo, a lanky, spindly-legged lightweight from the Dominican Republic, moved up in class and overcame tough Tijuana veteran Juan Carlos Burgos to win a unanimous decision. The scores were 98-92, 97-93, and 96-94.

Castillo, who improved to 16-0, was making his second start on U.S. soil. In Burgos, he was meeting a former world title challenger at 126 and 130 pounds who had gone the distance with the likes of Mikey Garcia. The best round of the fight was the 10^th when both boxers let their hands go freely, but it was too little, too late for Burgos (34-6-2) whose last four defeats have come at the hands of undefeated fighters.

In the TV opener, Fresno, California super middleweight Marcos Hernandez (15-4-2) upset previously undefeated Jose Resendiz (12-1), winning a 10-round unanimous decision. The judges had it 97-92 and 96-93 twice.

Resendiz, who trains in Las Vegas under Ismael Salas protégé Bob Santos, was rated the #2 super middleweight in Mexico by BoxRec behind only Canelo, but performed like a journeyman against the efficient but light-hitting Hernandez who won for the first time in his last four starts.

In an earlier bout that appeared on FOX sister channel FS1, light heavyweight Kyrone Davis (16-2-1, 6 KOs) had his hands full with spunky Martez McGregor (8-5) but copped a unanimous decision, winning by scores of 77-72 and 75-74 twice. It was a messy fight in which McGregor was docked three points for various infractions, including a rare two-point deduction for a errant elbow.

Photo credit: Sean Michael Ham / Premier Boxing Champions

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