By Minnie Larry
Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California
WBA super featherweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis (21-0, 20 KOs) destroyed former world champion Hugo Ruiz (39-5, 33 KOs) with a first-round knockout. After Davis’s original opponent Abner Mares had to bow out due to a detached retina, Ruiz stepped up. However, it did not matter, Davis landed a strong left-right combination which sent Ruiz straight to the canvas. Ruiz got up from the canvas but was on unsteady legs. Referee Jack Reiss stopped at 2:59 in the first round.
Super lightweight Mario Barrios (23-0, 15 KOs) stopped Richard Zamora (19-3, 12 KOs) in the 4th round. Barrios was disciplined throughout the fight staying behind a stiff jab. He overwhelmed Zamora who seemed bewildered by Barrios’ output. Barrios set up Zamora in the fourth round with a left jab and stiff right. Zamora’s knees buckled as Barios poured on the punishment. Referee Ray Corona stepped in to stop Barrios from inflicting any further damage much to the dismay of the crowd. Time was 2:16.
Lightweight Javier Fortuna (34-2-1, 23 KOs) won a unanimous decision over Shareef Bogere (32-2, 20 KOs). The fight was a strategic affair with the combatants feeling each other out. The action picked up in round three with each starting to exchange blows. Fortuna worked behind his jab to keep the aggressive Bogere at a distance. Bogere would try to bring the action to Fortuna in round 6 which resulted in a cut over his right eye and a knockdown. Fortuna would win by unanimous decision, 96-93 3x.
