Boxing Result: Honorio Decisions Hilario To Keep NABO Title

As a ringside observer in the Academy Award-winning biopic “Raging Bull” quipped after Jake LaMotta bloodied and battered an opponent named Tony Janiro for ten painful rounds, “He Ain’t Pretty Anymore”! Neither is the boxer dubbed “Pretty Warrior”

Before a packed house and ESPN2 television audience, Mexico City’s Martin “El Brochas” Honorio (28-4-1, 14 KOs) made the first defense of his NABO Lightweight title by demolishing and defacing previously unbeaten Wilton “Pretty Warrior” Hilario (12-1-1, 9 KOs) in the main event at the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, CA. The bout was the main event telecast on ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights” and promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions.

“It was a tough fight. He is a very tough fighter,“ Honorio credited Hilario. “It was a long night. His style was very awkward, bringing pressure and coming at different angles. I hit him a lot but I never felt like I connected on him very hard because of his awkward style. But I was pleased with my performance overall. I am ready for a title shot against anyone in the world at 130. I am looking for one of the champions to give me an opportunity.”

In a performance exceeding his recent upset of undefeated prospect John Molina, Jr., Honorio completely schooled the talented, but less-experienced Dominican with an accurate and explosive arsenal of razor-sharp combinations to the head and body. Honorio was cruising right along until the determined Hilario, looking for some late knockout magic, started to find the range in the final two rounds as Honorio appeared to tire. But Honorio regained himself and the fight ended with a flurry after the bell and a standing ovation from the appreciative crowd.

“I should have took him out,” Hilario, shaking his head, chuckled. “I took this fight for the experience and to show the world that I’m here and I can fight anybody, anytime, anywhere. It’s just a fight. I’ll learn from it and be better next time.”

In the scheduled eight-round television opener and co-feature, Rico “Sauvecito” Ramos (15-0, 9 KOs) successfully defended his NABO Youth Super Bantamweight title with an impressive fourth-round knockout of four-time world title challenger Cecilio “Boga” Santos (24-13-3, 14 KOs). Ramos, from Los Angeles, CA, dominated from the opening bell with combinations to the head and body and finished the Mexican challenger with a vicious left to the torso at 1:14 of the fourth round.

“I worked hard. I was looking for a first-round knockout,” admitted Ramos, who was making the first defense of his title against his most experienced opponent to date. “I just did what I had to do: take care of business and take him out!”

In the second televised contest, Michael “Silent Assassin” Dallas, Jr. (12-0-1, 3 KOs) silenced Mexican Fabian Luque (21-10-4, 12 KOs) at 2:58 of round one. The Bakersfield, CA native, who is managed by Jackie Kallen, remained undefeated as he took out his veteran opponent with a tremendous right hand to the body.

“All of the work I’ve been doing in the gym paid off tonight,” Dallas, who has been sparring with the great Manny Pacquiao, pointed out. “I knew the knockout would come. I just took my time and landed my shots.”

In the opening bout of the seven-fight card, John Molina, Jr. (19-1, 15 KOs) rebounded from his first career setback in spectacular fashion by destroying Mexican veteran Ricardo Medina (31-36-5, 17KOs). The Covina, CA junior welterweight sent Medina to the deck twice and referee David Mendoza mercifully called a halt to the bout at 1:40 of the opening round.

“I give Martin Honorio all the credit for winning our fight,” said Molina, who fought for 12 rounds with a bad case of the flu. “But at the same token, I’m feeling 100 percent now and I did what I had to do tonight to show everybody that I am back. And I did it in one!”

In heavyweight action: Alvaro Morales (4-6-5), of Las Vegas, NV, spoiled the pro debut of Ukrainian Sergey Karpenko (0-1), now living and fighting out of Big Bear Lake, CA, by four-round, split decision. One judge saw it 39-37 for Karpenko and the other two scored it the same, though, in favor of Morales.

In a scheduled four-round featherweight bout, Walter “School Boy” Sarnoi (5-0, 2 KOs), of Monterey Park, CA, remained undefeated by posting a unanimous decision victory over Jerry Mondragon (3-2, 2 KOs), Fresno, CA.

Finally, Ephraim Martinez (4-0, 1 KO), of Buttonwillow, CA, earned a hard-fought split-decision win over Ruffino Serrano (4-3), Santa Maria, CA in a four-round battle of bantamweights.