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Last night, Gary Shaw Productions in association with Greg Cohen Promotions, Antonio Leonard Promotions and All In Entertainment presented ESPN “Friday Night Fights” to a lively crowd at the Pala Casino Spa and Resort. Every fight was sensational as all fighters went to war.
In the 10-round main event, Rustam Nugaev (27-6-1, 17 KOs) and Marvin Quintero (25-5, 21 KOs) provided the fans with a rugged night of action. Quintero was using his hand speed and lateral movement to get off his punches while Nugaev was establishing a ferocious body attack.
Both fighters were landing power shots, but it seemed that Nugaev was landing the harder blows. It was a close fight after four rounds but Quintero hurt his hand in the final seconds of the round.
Once the doctor deemed Quintero couldn’t continue the fight was ruled a TKO in Nugaev’s favor.
“I was just getting into a grove when the bout was halted,” said Nugaev. “My body attack was starting to wear down Quintero. I can see that he was starting to slow down as I was coming forward.
“He was a very tough opponent and he was very effective with his punches but I was never hurt. I feel I was on my way to knocking him out before the fight was stopped.
“My promoter Gary Shaw has big plans for me this year and I’m ready to fight for a world title. I’m taking on anyone who wants to step in the ring with me. I will be a champion very soon, all I need is an opportunity.”
n the 8-round co-feature, undefeated bantamweight sensation, Roman Morales (18-0, 9 KOs) and rugged Russian warrior,
Khabir Suleymanov (16-4, 6 KOs) went to war as the fight went the distance in a crowd pleasing fight.
Morales set the tone early as he came forward landing hard body shots. Suleymanov hit the canvass in the second round as a left hook from Morales landed on his head.
Suleymanov was game and continued on, landing some good right hands but never seemed to hurt Morales who kept coming forward. Morales dropped Suleymanov three more times before the bout ended.
Suleymanov was cut above both eyes while Morales was bleeding from his right cheek. Both fighters showed a warrior spirit but it was Morales who looked sensation in victory. Morales won by unanimous decision. Scorecards read 80-68 and 79-68 twice.
Unbeaten welterweight Dusty Harrison (21-0, 11 KOs) marched on with a hard fought victory against a resilient Michael Balasi (10-4, 7 KOs).
After being wobble by a powerful left hook from Balasi in the second round, Harrison came back with a left hook of his own that sent his opponent to the canvas.
Toward the end of the round, Balasi landed another left hook and dropped Harrision as the crowd was on its feet. Harrison got up and fought smart the rest of the fight, dominating the last four rounds.
Harrison dropped Balasi again in the fifth round in route to a unanimous decision. Scorecards read 60-53 and 59-53 twice.
