Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Crazy things can happen in the prize ring.

Fast rising super welterweight Callum Walsh expected a tough match but not a clash of heads with Mexico’s Elias Espadas that forced an early technical decision on Saturday night.

Despite a bloody right eye caused by a clash of heads Walsh emerged the winner.

Ireland’s Walsh (14-0, 11 KOs) expected Espadas (23-7-1, 16 KOs) to be resilient but also expected a decisive win at Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez. Instead, blood dripped down his face.

Few of Walsh’s previous opponents were as iron-chinned and dangerous as Espadas, whose previous fight had ended in a draw against a very strong fighter from Kazakhstan. It was expected to be a severe test for the Irish fighter.

In the first round, Walsh immediately smacked Espadas with rights and lefts. Several snapped the head of Espadas but none seemed too severe. He kept advancing and when Walsh tried to overwhelm the Mexican fighter, he was met with a strong right cross. That stalled the Irishman.

It was obvious that Walsh was much quicker than his foe, but it was too early to determine whose power was superior. When both fighters opened up simultaneously in the second round their heads collided and Walsh emerged with a cut alongside the right eye. Blood streamed down his face.

The ringside physician examined Walsh’s eye and allowed the fight to continue. Walsh unleashed speedy and powerful combinations that all connected. Espadas kept advancing.

Though Walsh was punishing Espadas with powerful blows, the Mexican fighter continued advancing and exchanging dangerous blows. It was obvious that the Irish fighter was faster and more agile, but the Mexican who is trained by Manny Robles kept advancing.

After five rounds the ringside physician advised referee Rudy Barragan to stop the fight due to blood streaming down Walsh’s eye. The fight went to the score cards due to the accidental clash of heads and all three judges favored Walsh 50-46.

“I felt the fight was very one-sided,” said Walsh who is trained by Freddie Roach. “He is a very good opponent.”

If the cut heals in time Walsh could be part of the Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford fight scheduled for Las Vegas in mid-September.

Other Bouts

Light heavyweight Umar Dzambekov (12-0, 8 KOs) rallied after a slow start to overcome Roamer Angulo (28-4, 23 KOs) and win by unanimous decision. The scores did not reflect the actual fight as Dzambekov was gun-shy during the first half of the fight and was stunned more than a few times by Angulo’s rights.

After eight rounds all three judges scored for Dzambekov 80-72, 79-73 and a more cognizant 77-75.

Sacramento’s Cain Sandoval (16-0, 14 KOs) needed less than two rounds to blast out Argentina’s Jonathan Eniz (36-23-1, 17 KOs) with a barrage of uppercuts and left hooks in a super lightweight fight.

Sandoval started slowly probing Eniz’s bob-and-weave style but it was evident that uppercuts were able to pierce the Argentine’s defense in the opening round. That’s all that Sandoval needed.

The super lightweight from Northern California increased the tempo in the second round and uppercuts poured through the gloves of Eniz. Then Sandoval cornered the Argentine fighter and unleashed a barrage of blows that Eniz could not avoid as he sank to the floor and was counted out.

Rising female featherweight Roxy Verduzco (5-0) faced stiff competition from Celene Roman (6-4-1) but used her speed and angles to outscore the veteran and win by unanimous decision after eight rounds.

Verduzco, a USA multi-national champion as an amateur, used her speed and accuracy to pierce the guard of Roman. As the rounds commenced Roman began firing back with more frequency. But Verduzco’s combination punching was the difference in almost every round.

The 23-year-old brunette from Los Angeles was signed by 360 Boxing Promotions and is one of three very talented fighters on the roster that includes WBO super flyweight world titlist Mizuki Hiruta and flyweight star Lupita Medina.

Daniel Barrera (9-1-1) defeated Basilio Franco (10-4) in a tense super flyweight battle and won by unanimous decision after eight rounds.

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