Mike Anchondo W8 Armando Cordoba... Former WBO junior lightweight titlist “Mighty” Mike Anchondo made a successful return from a year-long layoff, winning a lopsided eight round decision over veteran Armando Cordoba Thursday night in Irvine, California. The bout topped an entertaining six-bout show at the Marriott Hotel put on by veteran promoter Roy Englebrecht. Much of the junior welterweight contest was slow-paced and tactical, with Anchondo forced to initiate after Cordoba lapsed into defensive mode after tasting the former champ’s power early. Anchondo looked to set up his combos with some upper body movement, but he often missed the mark, as the Panamanian was able to duck or slip the blows. During some exchanges in the fourth, it was Cordoba who got the better of the action, taking advantage of Anchondo’s wider punches.

In the later rounds, Anchondo picked up the pace and he showed off some of his trademark hand speed. A clash of heads cut the former champ over the right eye in the seventh, and Anchondo was noticeably bothered by the wound, pawing at it and shaking his head. Official scores at the end of eight were 80-72 twice and 79-73. Anchondo improves to 27-1 with 19 KOs, while Cordoba’s ledger now stands at 23-30-2 with 17 KOs.

The cut means that Anchondo’s scheduled January 26th bout with Darling Jimenez will likely be either postponed or cancelled. It’s an unfortunate setback for the 24 year old, who is looking to regain momentum after his TKO loss to Jorge Barrios and recent inactivity. Anchondo’s performance was far from impressive, but he was noticeably rusty and facing an opponent bent on survival. A bout against a more willing opponent such as Jimenez will be a better barometer of where Anchondo’s career stands.

Billy Bailey W4 Thomas Haines... In the co-feature, Billy Bailey mauled his way to a four-round majority decision victory over Thomas Haines in a light heavyweight bout. Bailey improves to 4-1 with 1 KO, Haines is now 3-3 with 2 wins by stoppage.

Tammy Franks W4 Lisette Medel... Former amateur standout Lisette Medel suffered her first loss as a pro, losing a split decision to spoiler Tammy Franks. The female lightweight bout was scheduled for four rounds. After getting outboxed in the first, the lanky Franks began to make use of her significant height and reach advantages in the second, looking to catch Medal coming in.
The San Antonio visitor used the jab to set up some clean right hands in the last two rounds to seal the victory. Official scores were 39-37 twice and 37-39.

Cornell Davis D4 Lawson Baker... In a heavyweight four rounder, Cornell “Troublesome Underdog” Davis lived up to his nickname, putting the first blemish on the record of kick boxer Lawson Baker.  The bout was judged a majority draw with two scores of 38-38 and 39-37. The hard-hitting Baker was able to land some quality shots in the middle of the ring, but was bulled to the ropes by the stocky Davis for stretches. In the third, Davis hurt his foe with a right, and it was Davis who landed the harder shots in the final round. San Diego’s Baker is now 2-0-1 while Davis, who fights out of Lancaster, is 3-6-1.

Antonio Tapia W4 Miguel Garcia... Antonio Tapia of Bell Gardens outslugged Pasadena’s Miguel Garcia to earn a four-round unanimous decision in the opener. The junior middleweight bout featured some of the best action of the night, with each fighter getting stunned in the second round. Tapia improves to 2-0 while Garcia now 0-1. 

Alfredo Contreras D4 Juan C. Parra... Alfredo Contreras and Juan Carlos Parra fought to a four-round draw in the walkout bout. The ring announcer for the evening was Mike Hart. It was the twelfth consecutive sellout for Roy Englebrecht Promotions at the Irvine Marriott. “Battle in the Ballroom” will return to the Marriott on February 8th, 2007.