MORONGO RESERVATION – Glenn Donaire proved too big and too strong for Mexico’s Juan Alfonso Keb Baas at the Morongo Casino on Friday.
In the inaugural fight card for the new Morongo Casino before more than 600, Donaire pounded his way to victory over the smaller but rock chin of Baas (30-14-2, 20 KOs) in a junior bantamweight contest.
“That guy was tough. He could take a punch,” said Donaire (14-2, 8 KOs). “I underestimated the guy a little.”
Despite his four inch handicap, Baas was able keep the hard-hitting Donaire from landing the knockout punch. But he did land. A low blow by Baas in the eighth round forced referee Ray Corona to deduct a point.
Baas had his best round in the sixth round when the two fighters exchanged liberally. A four-punch combination by Baas won him the round. But it was a battle that could not be won by trading equally with the stronger Donaire.
Donaire won by unanimous decision – 98-90, 99-90, 98-91.
In other bouts, Larry Mosley returned after a 18-month lay off, shook off the rust in one round then proceeded to overmatch Allan Cespedes (4-3) in four rounds of a scheduled six-round junior middleweight bout. A left hook to the head hurt Cespedes, who turned his back on Mosley, forcing referee Ray Corona to halt the fight at 1:01 of the fourth round.
“I had to get my composure, it’s been a while,” said Mosley (13-1, 4 KOs), who lives and trains out of Los Angeles. “I plan to go down to 147. I’ll be much faster at that weight.”
A lightweight bout featuring two new pros turned out to be evenly matched. You never know what to expect by debuting fighters, in this case both seemed knowledgeable and willing. Colton’s Jesus Rivas and L.A.’s Joseph Eagan battled to a four round draw. There were no knockdowns. The scores were 39-37 for Rivas, 39-37 for Eagan and 38-38 even.
Riverside’s Ramon Torres won by split-decision over Pomona’s Gustavo Torrales – 39-37 twice and 38-38. Both were making their pro debuts in a welterweight bout.
Shadi Hamsho scored a second-round technical knockout over Isidro Herrera. Hamsho (4-0) dropped Herrera (0-2) four times in the lightweight fight.
Alex Viramontes, from Riverside, scored a close unanimous win over Francisco Zepeda in a six round junior welterweight bout. Viramontes scored a knockdown in the first and fourth round.
The fight card was promoted by Two Feathers Promotions and All Star Boxing along with Morongo Casino.
