Hector “Teco” Serrano Wins the Hard Way Again in Pomona

POMONA-Hector “Teco” Serrano is never in an easy fight and once again proved why in winning a decision against Luis “El Huero” Lugo on Saturday.

Just minutes away from Sugar Shane Mosley’s house, MEZ Sports held two nights of boxing and mixed martial arts at the Finish Line Sports Grill. On Saturday, Serrano won a five round junior welterweight fight before a crowd of several hundred people.

Serrano and Lugo battered each other from the opening bell with neither fighter able to establish much distance. Each round proved to be a carbon copy of the first round.

Lugo (13-19-1), who is originally from Los Mochis, Mexico, has always been one of the most rugged fighters and has fought prospects and sluggers like John Molina, Danny Garcia, Adrien Broner, Mauricio Herrera and Frankie Gomez. Two of those just mentioned are world champions and the others are top contenders. Despite his so-so record he does know how to fight.

Serrano (17-3), who formerly lived in Huntington Park and Riverside, now lives and fights out of Perris. Since his pro debut Serrano has engaged in some of the most brutal and action-packed fights in the Inland Empire. Saturday was no exception.

Over the years Serrano has added defensive skills to his arsenal but his style has always been seek-and-destroy. Against Lugo, that was a problem.

Though Lugo has seven losses via knockout, he has never been an easy battle for any of his former foes. Despite his stubbornness in the ring. Lugo was given the loss according to the judges by unanimous decision.

Other bouts

Featherweights Heather Clark (1-0-1) and Maia Stevenson (0-0-1) fought a furious four round draw. Both female boxers had their moments with Clark using a busy punch output to win her rounds. Stevenson was conservative with her punches but far more accurate when she did fire. Neither fighter was ever hurt by the other’s blows. The match ended in a split draw.

Tony Johnson (6-0, 2 Kos) of San Jose defeated Pomona’s Danny Garcia (5-4-1) by knockout in the fifth round of a super middleweight bout. Garcia seemed to be in charge for the majority of the fight but was caught by a counterpunch and could not recover at 2:46 of round five.

In an MMA bout it was Oxnard’s Lee Chapman (5-7) winning by decision against Mike Flach (2-1) in a middleweight bout. Chapman used his experience to defeat the very capable Flach.

La Habra’s Alejandro Garlarza (3-0) stopped Riverside’s Johnathan Hyde (1-1) at 1:31 of the third round with a right hand-left hook combination. Referee John McCarthy stopped the fight.

Maywood’s Carlos Medina (1-0) won his pro debut by unanimous decision after four rounds against Reno’s Santos Vasquez (1-1). Medina knocked down Vasquez in round one with a left hook during an exchange. He also floored Vasquez with a left hook in round three.