Junior lightweight Ronny Rios boxed circles around tough Guillermo Sanchez over eight rounds to win a unanimous decision Saturday night at the Phoenix Club.
Judges Alejandro Rochin and James Jen Kin scored the fight 80-72. Judge Carla Caiz scored it 79-73.
“He was strong. He had a lot of experience. I didn?t want to underestimate him. He was a serious threat,? Rios told the Orange County Register.
After a close first round, Rios took over using a quick jab and steady bodywork. Rios managed to hurt Sanchez (13-6, 5 KOs) with several big shots along the ropes. After tasting Rios power, Sanchez went into survival mode.
“I hit him with a body shot, and I heard him grunt,” Rios said. “I wanted to be patient.”
There is talk that Rios will return to the ring June 23 on the undercard of the Andre Berto-Victor Ortiz rematch at the Staples Center.
If you missed the live action or the TeleFutura “S?lo Boxeo Tecate” broadcast, below is a summary of the results:
Winner Loser Method Round
Ronny Rios Guillermo Sanchez Unanimous Decision 8
Hugo Centeno Gerardo Prieto Technical Knockout 4
Julian Ramirez Salvador Cifuentes Knockout 1
Xavier Montelongo Rocco Espinoza Unanimous Decision 4
Johnny Reyes Jose Garcia Knockout 1
