Perez, Santana Post Wins On Final Gary Shaw Promotion

Friday night at the Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez, California, Gary Shaw Productions presented his final show as a promotional company on ESPN “Friday Night Fights”.

In the 12-round main event, Darleys Perez (32-1, 20 KOs) won an impressive unanimous decision as he defended his WBA Interim Lightweight Championship against Jonathan Maicelo (21-2, 12 KOs). Perez vs. Maicelo was a promoted in association with Thompson Boxing Promotions.

In the early rounds, Jonathan Maicelo was using lateral movement to set up his punches, but Darleys Perez was timing him every time he jumped in. Maicelo, to his detriment, was going straight back after every combination and Perez was making him pay for that mistake.

As the fight entered the later rounds, Perez had control of the fight and was up on the scorecards. Perez was timing his punches well and landed some very clean shots that had Maicelo off balance.

Perez caught Maicelo jumping in and sent him to the canvas in round eleven. In round twelve, Perez closed the show as he landed a plethora of hard shots to close out the round. Maicelo gave a gallant effort in defeat. Scorecards read 118-109, 118-108, 120-107, all in favor of Perez.

“I was prepared for a tough fight,” said Perez. “Maicelo is an incredible competitor. It took me a few rounds to settle into a rhythm, but once I did, I was able to land whatever I wanted.

“After a few rounds, I was able to time his movements and connect with a variety of punches. I want to be the best in the lightweight division. That’s what drives me. I put my heart and soul into every fight and I’m going to keep preparing the same way.”

“I did my best tonight but was up against a better man in Darleys Perez.” said Maicelo. “He did a good job of using his reach to keep me off balance. It was very difficult to land my shots.

“He’s a great champion and I take my hat off to him. I still want to fight and see if I can work my way back to the top. This is not the end of my career. I know I can get back in there and compete at a high level.”

In the 10-round co-main event, Santa Barbara’s welterweight contender, Francisco Santana (22-3-1, 11 KOs) didn’t need much time to finish off his opponent, Kendal Mena (20-0, 11 KOs) of the Dominican Republic.

While the taller Mena was trying to establish his distance and jab, Santana, the local hero, landed a left hook that dropped him in the begging of the round.

As soon as Mena got up off the canvas, Santana landed a right hook, left hook combo that put Mena down for good at the 1:43 mark of round one. With the victory, Santana captures the WBA International Welterweight Championship.

“My trainer had a great game plan going into this fight,” said Francisco Santana. “Once I saw an opening in his defense I knew I could land my left hook. This was great exposure for me and I’m very please I was able to get the knockout on national television.

“I want to thank Gary Shaw for this opportunity and I look forward to the future with him moving forward with RocNation. I’m ready to challenge any of the top welterweights in the division.”

“Tonight everyone showed up and gave it their best and the fans go to witness a great night of boxing.” said Gary Shaw. “Perez is a very tough fighter and I see him taking over the lightweight division.

“Santana showed he has what it takes to be something special in the welterweight division and he’ll be in a very big fight in the near future. I’m ready to start the next chapter of my legacy with RocNation and I’m very energized with what the future holds for all my fighters.”

San Andro, California’s undefeated Super-Bantamweight prospect, Roman Morales, extended his winning streak with an impressive third round knockout. After a slow start, Morales landed a left hook to the body in round three dropping Guerrero to the canvas. The referee gave Guerrero the full 10 count and the bout was stopped at the 1:05 mark of the round.

Brooklyn New York’s Jarrell Miller battered Newark, New Jersey’s Aaron Kinch over six rounds en route to a lopsided unanimous decision at heavyweight. Even though Miller landed a plethora of power shots throughout the fight, Kinch survived, making it to the final bell giving the fans a spirited effort. Scorecards read 60-54 twice and 60-53 in favor of Miller.

Santa Maria, California’s Maggie Suarez won a close majority decision against a very tough Jolene Blackshear at flyweight. Suarez used her superior boxing skills to squeak out the victory. Jolene had her moments but it wasn’t enough as Suarez landed at a higher percentage in most of the rounds. Scorecards read 57-57, 58-56 for Saurez.

Santa Maria, California’s Manuel Romero made quick work of Carlos Gonzales at welterweight. Round one was all Romero as he came out guns blazing. In round two, Romero landed a barrage of punches and the referee halted the bout at the 2:16 mark.

Palmdale, California’s Poula Estrada did enough to pull off a close victory against a game Kayana Rain, who hails from Los Angeles, at junior flyweight. The taller Estrada used a good jab and movement to negate the pressure style of Rain. Although Rain landed some good power shots, Estrada landed the cleaner blows throughout the fight. Scorecards read 38-38, 39-37, all for Estrada.