Sindy Amador Wins IFBA Jr. Fly World Title on Steward Tribute

TEMECULA-The late Emanuel Steward would have been visually glued to the female world title fight that saw Sindy Amador defeat Amaris Quintana by decision after a torrid 10 rounds on Friday.

One year since their first meeting, Riverside’s Amador (11-1) improved on her boxing skills against the talented Quintana (6-2) and defeated the San Diego fighter once again. This time, for the IFBA junior flyweight world title at Pechanga Casino and Resort. It was a fight card dedicated to the memory of the late great Steward.

In their first meeting in April 2012, many felt Quintana was the victor but the judges ruled otherwise. In this fight, Amador seemed stronger and more concise with her punches in winning by unanimous decision.

“The key was always to pressure her and more punches,” said Amador. “It was to get her tired.”

Quintana is a slick snapping puncher with great foot movement and combination punching. The San Diego brunette jumped out quickly with pretty combinations and moved in a circle. By the second round, Amador was able to time her and connect with lead right hands.

Both fighters made adjustments in the fight. Quintana tried to match blow for blow with Amador but was taking the brunt of the blows. But when Quintana targeted the body, things changed and turned around.

Amador kept the pressure on but unlike her first fight, where she simply put her head down and wailed away with punches in windmill fashion, in this fight she was perfect with the right cross and deadly with the left hook. The sound of the blows was impressive.

“I was trying to be smarter with my punches,” Amador said.

Toward the end of the fight in rounds nine and 10, Quintana began using an effective stiff jab followed by pretty combinations. It was difficult to determine whose fight it was. After the final bell, both girls raised their hand confidently. All three judges scored it for Amador, 98-92, 96-94, 97-93.

Amador is now the IFBA junior flyweight world champion in a fight that impressed the crowd, many who were watching female prizefighters for the first time.

“It’s a dream come true,” she said. “I can’t believe it.”

Other bouts

Hector “Teco” Serrano (18-3, 6 Kos) had his way against Sacramento’s Rogelio Castaneda (26-18-3) in an eight round junior welterweight scrap. Serrano, who fights out of Perris, California, dominated the toe-to-toe fight that was seldom fought more than an inch apart. Castaneda never gave up but could not match the power and accuracy of Serrano.

Arizona’s Cory Muldrew (1-3) captured his first win as a pro by out-working Cerrito’s Daniel Kim (0-1), who was making his pro debut. Muldrew fired many more blows against Kim, though his accuracy was pretty off. Kim had decent defense but just didn’t do enough work after four rounds in the junior welterweight contest. Muldrew won by unanimous decision.

Junior lightweights Diego Madrigal (2-0-1) of Coachella and Cesar Martinez (4-1-1) of L.A. fought to a four-round majority draw in their match. Madrigal started early with the fast combinations in the first half of the fight. In the second half, Martinez attacked the body and that turned things around in the fight.

Victorville’s Luis Hernandez (3-3, 2 Kos) squared his record with a second round knockout over Riverside’s Roberto Duran (0-1) in a welterweight clash. Hernandez took advantage of Duran’s greenness and caught the debuting fighter numerous times backing up with his hands down and chin up. Hernandez knocked down Duran in round two with a body shot. Then a right hand connected solidly when the fight continued and the referee stopped the fight at 1:57 of the round.

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