Ruben Villa W10 Cristian Cruz ... Featherweight Ruben Villa IV (22-1, 7 KOs) moved one step closer to a second world title shot by decisioning Cristian Cruz (22-7-1, 11 KOs) over ten rounds. Villa, who lost a title shot to Navarrete in 2020, scored in the initial rounds with combinations from the outside, while Cruz found success to the body in rounds four and five. Villa retained control with constant pressure and counters in the final rounds. After ten rounds, the official scores were 98-92 (twice) and 97-93.
ADDITIONAL BOUTS
Lightweight Abdullah Mason (13-0, 11 KOs), age 20, delivered a resounding fourth-round stoppage of Ronal Ron (14-6, 11 KOs). Mason landed a flawless left hand that floored Ron as he was attempting a left hook. A Mason left to the solar plexus dropped Ron for a second time. He stepped on the throttle in the fourth and ended matters at 1:02 of the round.
Middleweight Julian Delgado entered the paid ranks in front of his hometown fans. The 22-year old, who became the first Corpus Christi native to win a national Golden Gloves title in four decades, decisioned Juan Tamez (1-1) across four rounds of sustained action. Scores were 40-36 (twice) and 39-37.
Corpus Christi's John Rincon (9-0, 2 KOs) defeated Yainel Alvarez (3-4-2, 1 KO) via six-round majority decision in a welterweight bout. Rincon worked behind a southpaw jab to land early, though he had to overcome Alvarez's erratic offense. Alvarez pressured in the final two rounds, but it was not enough. Scores: 57-57, 58-56, and 59-55.
Filipino Olympian Charly Suarez (17-0, 9 KOs) tallied a workmanlike unanimous points verdict following eight rounds against Louie Coria (15-7, 7 KOs). Coria worked off a good jab and occasionally landed sharp uppercuts, but he was overwhelmed by sudden left hooks and right hands from Suarez. Coria scored a knockdown at the final bell, but it wasn't enough to close the gap. The junior lightweight bout was officially scored 77-74 (twice) and 76-75.
Texas junior lightweight Alejandro Guerrero (13-4, 10 KOs) upset Jalen Walker (12-1-1, 10 KOs) by flooring him twice before forcing Walker's corner to halt the action at 1:36 of the seventh. Guerrero, who snapped a four-fight losing skid, was dropped in the sixth before regaining the momentum in the seventh, He was ahead on all three cards, 56-55, at the time of the stoppage.
Heavyweight: Team USA's Ali Feliz (1-0, 1 KOs) made a successful pro debut by dispatching Anthony Woodson III (1-2, 1 KO) in two rounds.
