In Pomona, Klimov Retains Title & Duenas Wins

POMONA-Constant rain didn’t stop a loaded Pomona fight card.

Despite rain and cold a Southern California fight card that took place outside of the Finish Line Sports Grill on Saturday night, more than 500 fans attended and left satisfied. Two co-main events especially did not disappoint.

One single left cross ended one fight when junior welterweight Ricky Duenas (10-1, 4 KOs) ended his match with Rufino Flores (2-4) at 1:13 of round two. The swiftness from the punch nearly broke Flores’ knee as he was sent backward with such force the referee immediately stopped the match.

Duenas, out of El Monte, has improved with every fight and looked determined from the opening bell to end the fight with quick dispatch.

The battle between WBC USA lightweight titleholder Andrey Klimov (13-0, 7 KOs) and Colorado’s Robert Rodriguez (6-1, 2 KOs) featured a pair of undefeated boxers. Though Klimov had more pro fights and more amateur contests, both showed equal skill and determination.

Last year Klimov made his U.S. debut with a shocking knockout win over Ty Barnett and followed that up with another stoppage of Eduardo Arcos. This time Rodriguez was asked to step up and see what he could do and the result was rewarding for the crowd.

The first two rounds saw Klimov’s aggressive pressure style and accurate punching score emphatically especially to the body. But the taller Rodriguez showed he could take a punch and deliver just as emphatically with right hands.

In the third round uppercuts from the Colorado boxer scored big and Klimov changed things with pinpoint stiff jabs. A solid one-two connected for the Russian lightweight.

Rodriguez bumped his game more for round four with several left hands. A four-punch combination kept Klimov on defense but he was able to connect with a one-two combo that kept Rodriguez from routing him.

Round five saw Rodriguez open up with several crisp uppercuts. Klimov seemed bothered and embarrassed and retaliated with a big right hand and more right hands. A left hook and a right-left combo turned things around for Klimov. From that point on the fight changed in his favor.

Rodriguez never quit but the zip in his punches waned and he never could regain the snap. Klimov got more confident and moved in relentlessly to finish the job. The fight reached the eighth round and final bell. One judge scored it 76-76, but the other two scored it 77-75 and 78-74 for Klimov.

Other results

Russia’s Vage Suruhan stopped Pomona’s Ronald Rodriguez at 1:06 of round four. Sarahun was too quick and too accurate for the game Rodriguez.

Alexander Podrezov (4-1) easily scored a unanimous decision over Imarjoe Miller (1-2) after four rounds of a junior welterweight fight. Podrezov used his superior height and arm reach to keep Miller from mounting any kind of attack.

Garden Grove’s Jessie Roman (10-0) easily beat Ramon Flores (3-15-2) by decision in a tepid junior welterweight contest.

Jesse Villanueva (3-0) eked out a win over Emanuel Machorro (0-6-1) in a spirited back and forth battle. Villanueva won by majority decision after four rounds.

Jesse Partida (1-1) won by majority decision over debuting Carlos Gonzalez.

Showdown Promotions and Union Boxing Management will be putting on another fight card next month at the Finish Line Sports Grill.

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