Canelo vs. Chavez Jr : Prelims results recap

Photo Credit: Hogan Photos/Golden Boy Promotions

In the main event of the preliminaries Ryan Garcia (9-0) ‎improved to 8 finishes out of 9 fights by stopping Tyrone Luckey (8-7-3) via TKO. The pride of Victorville, California looked very sharp tonight as he jabbed, circled, left hooked and let his hands go in another masterful performance.

Very early in Round 1 a counter left hook from Garcia sent Luckey to the canvas. He beat the count but Russell Mora was keeping a close eye on him because Garcia was landing at a high percentage. In the 2nd round Garcia was walking his man down, taking anything Luckey had to offer and returning fire in the form of vicious left hooks and over hand rights. ‘King’ Garcia shot two jabs then a mean overhand right that crashed unto the side of the head of the New Jersey native putting him on unsteady legs along the ropes, then Garcia followed up with another two vicious ones prompting referee Russell Mora to step in and call a stop to the bout.

The official time of the TKO stoppage came at (2:22) of Round 2 for Ryan Garcia who remains unbeaten.

Marlen ESPARZA (2-0) vs. Samantha Salazar (2-4-1)

(Flyweight Bout – 4 Rounds)

The first ever women’s Bout with 3-minute rounds instead of the traditional 2-minute rounds saw Houston’s Esparza take on Dallas’ Salazar. ‎From the opening bell to the closing bell Esparza was the better, smarter and hungrier fighter as she controlled the ring using her jab and countless 1-2 combinations. Whether she was leading with the 1-2 combo or side stepping and landing it as well as peppering her foe from all angles with it, she couldn’t miss.

It was all Esparza as she cruised to a unanimous decision thanks to her supreme conditioning and ability to swarm her foe and never let her get off. The judges all saw it 40-36 for ‎the Houston native.

Raul CURIEL (1-0) vs. Jesus Sanchez (1-2-2)

(Super Welterweight Bout – 4 Rounds)

Cugar’ Curiel made his pro debut tonight against the rugged, Sanchez who gave him all he could handle for 12 minutes. Not in a technical sense or superior conditioning and movement but by being constantly in his face and making it rough on the inside.

For his troubles however, Sanchez walked into a counter left hook, looping right or mean uppercut down the middle. ‎His footwork was also shaky so it was very hard to time Sanchez, therefore Curiel had a bit of a hard time knowing when to throw or cover-up then land a shot. But, he did enough by landing the cleaner punches and fighting smart off of his back foot to get the nod from two of the three judges.

RESULTS: ‎Raul Curiel makes a successful professional debut with majority decision win over Jesus Sanchez. Scores are 38-38, 40-36 and 40-36.

RONNY RIOS (28-1) vs. Daniel Noriega (28-11-1)

(Super Bantamweight Bout – 10 Rounds)

Rios fired on all cylinders tonight when he took on fellow 122lbs fighter, Noriega. His 1-2 combination was on point and his conditioning matched it as he raked away at his man’s face, body and head with the combo. Mexico’s Noriega did his best to march forward but was overwhelmed by the shots and accuracy of Rios.

Early in Round 3, Rios backed his man up along the ropes and went to work with over hand shots and body blows. One landed flush sending Noriega to the canvas. The Chihuahua native beat referee Vic Drakulich’s count but was muscled up along the ring for his troubles and broken down systematically via multiple left hooks to the body. For the next few minutes Rios battered his opponent with an over hand right-left hook to the body, or lead left hook downstairs that could not miss. If the Santa Ana, California native wasn’t landing it at range he would also land in the pocket.

In Round 4 he was hitting Noriega almost at will. The Chichuahua representative had no answer for it and would clinch or charge in, wrapping up his man. A quick, flush combination landed by Rios prompted referee Vic Drakulich ‎to step in and call a stop to the match as Noriega was in trouble close to the ropes.

RESULTS: Ronny Rios stops Daniel Noriega via TKO at (2:22) of Round 4 saying that: “I’m obviously proud of the knock out win but I think as a fighter we are always critical of our performances”

JOSEPH AGUIRRE (17-0) vs. Angel Aispuro (8-5-2)

(Lightweight Bout – 6 Rounds)

Aguirre and Aispuro kicked off the night from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for the Canelo vs. Chavez Jr HBO PPV. ‎Both men had their moments in the first couple of minutes of the match until Aguirre took over with his combinations and pressure. From Round 2 and on, the Cancun, Mexico native decided that he would walk down Aispuro and unload every punch in his arsenal behind a steady jab.

For whatever reason Aispuro did himself the disservice of stepping back and to his own left moments after each round started. So, for the majority of the fight he would come out of his side of the ring, get backed up by Aguirre’s excellent ability to string punches together and wind backed up in his blue corner.

RESULTS: Joseph Aguirre remains undefeated beating Angel Aispuro via unanimous decision with scores of 60–54, 60-54 and 60-54.