The Boxingtalk Scoreboard: Results from Mexico

Press Release

22/09/2020

The Boxingtalk Scoreboard: Results from Mexico

Alejandro Santiago W10 Willibaldo Garcia... In Tijuana, bantamweight contender Alejandro “Peque” Santiago survived an all-out spirited challenge from countryman Willibaldo Garcia to prevail via ten-round majority decision. Santiago quickly found himself in danger of suffering an upset against the free-swinging and apparently tireless Garcia. Staying poised, Santiago (22-2-5, 11 KOs) picked his shots and was able to do the more effective work in a majority of the action-packed rounds. Despite his now 10-4-1, 5 KOs record, Garcia made a strong account of himself. Throwing non-stop wild haymakers from awkward angles for all ten rounds, he made the world-rated Santiago earn his pay. By the final round, Santiago was cut above one eye and marked up around the other. To his credit, Santiago made adjustments throughout and put together strong combinations several times per round. The scores were 97-94 and 96-94 Santiago. The third judge saw it a draw, 95-95. Santiago is best known for a world-title draw in a 2018 challenge against IBF 115-pound champion Jerwin Ancajas. 
 
Victor Sandoval TKO10 Kevin Villanueva ... In the co-feature, Tijuana's Victor “Chucky” Sandoval (34-3 with 22 KOs) scored a waning-seconds, tenth-round TKO of a determined Kevin Villanueva (16-3-3  with 12 KOs). Moving in and out skillfully, Sandoval was able to unload bombs against Villanueva.  But Sinaloa’s Villanueva walked through the incoming punches to land bombs of his own in an attempt to pressure and wear down his more technically gifted opponent. With Sandoval seemingly cruising to a comfortable, but not easy, decision victory, he finally broke through, trapping Villanueva in the corner and unloading the finishing volley with ten seconds left in the fight.
 
UNDERCARD
 
Super featherweight Cristian "Lacandonsito" Cruz (13-5, 6 KOs) of Tijuana continued his now 11-fight winning streak, beating countryman Diego Aleman (12-2-1, 8 KOs) by unanimous eight-round decision. Cruz, the son of former IBO and IBF featherweight champion Cristóbal “Lacandón” Cruz, utilized his hand and foot speed to move in and out of danger while throwing hard combinations. He dropped Aleman twice while cruising to an 80-70, 78-72 and 79-71 verdict. The 23 year-old Cruz got off to a rough start in his career but looks to have done the homework needed to become a tough out at super feather... 
 
In the opening bout of the night, Los Mochis, Sinaloa’s Bryan Luna moved to 6-0 with 3 KOs., winning a unanimous shutout decision over Baja California's Felipe Ayon (now 1-1-1, 1 KO). The scores were 40-36 from all three judges.