Southpaw Jose “El Nino” Reynoso out-gunned rival Aris Ambriz over eight junior welterweight rounds to win the main event of Thompson Boxing Promotions’ New Blood Friday night fight series. This was the second time the combatants squared off in 2010. The pair first fought to a draw back on January 21st at the San Manuel Indian Casino. This time Reynoso would leave little doubt in the minds of the judges.

Reynoso (12-3-1) started tentatively in the first, inexplicably moving to his left and into the power of Ambriz. Having stood up to Ambriz’ right hand, Reynoso became more aggressive in the second and pressed the action. In the third Ambriz landed a stirring straight right that was the best punch of the fight to that point. Yet when the two traded power shots near the close of the round it was readily apparent that Reynoso was the bigger puncher.

An accurate puncher, Ambriz stayed busy throughout and won rounds by outworking Reynoso. In the fifth Reynoso put his punches together and began to wear Ambriz down. Reynoso staggered Ambriz with a combination mid way through the sixth.

Ambriz bounced back in the seventh behind a torrid work rate. The eighth was a war as both fighters wanted to leave a favorable impression on the judges. The bout was scored 79-73, 78-74 & 76-76 for a Reynoso majority decision victory.
 

Welterweights Aaron Martinez and Pavel Miranda waged a thoroughly professional eight round beauty that was closer than the official scorecards reflected. In the early going Martinez (13-1-1) backed Miranda to the ropes where he flurried to the head and body. A head butt to close round two momentarily slowed Martinez when a cut opened and blood flowed into his eye.

Martinez regrouped quickly and resumed forcing Miranda to the ropes to win rounds three and four. Miranda (16-5-1) picked up the pace in round five as fatigue set in on Martinez. No longer able to muscle Miranda to the ropes, Martinez proved vulnerable when fighting at center ring.

Miranda continued to push the action over the final rounds to close the gap but could not overcome the lead he surrendered to Martinez early in the fight. Martinez won the eight round affair by scores of 78-74, 79-73 & 80-72.
 

In a Thompson Boxing Promotions Fight of the Year candidate, Artemio Reyes hung on to defeat Alan Sanchez over six scintillating junior welterweight rounds. In the first round Reyes (6-1) couldn’t miss. Landing stinging right hands over Sanchez’ jab and extended right hand, Reyes dominated the opener. Sanchez (5-2) closed the gap in the second by putting combinations together. Reyes cut off the ring in the third and piled up points working the 1-2. The fight soared into another orbit over the final three rounds of the contest. A toe-to-toe exchange at center ring brought the crowd to their feet in the fourth. The heavy leather continued in the fifth as both fighters sold out on every punch.

Sanchez staggered Reyes with a right and backed him up for the first time in the fight. Reyes’ right eye was closed by the end of the round. The fireworks continued in the sixth. Sanchez continued to land right hands while Reyes fired upper cuts and right hand counters. A 30 second exchange to close the show brought a deafening roar from the crowd. When it was said and done Reyes earned a split decision victory by scores of 59-55, 56-58 & 58-56.
 

Eric Garcia battered Daniel Castillo for 2:34 before referee David Denkin smartly waived off the junior middleweight bout. Garcia (5-1-1) picked Castillo apart with short right hands and uppercuts.

Garcia’s hand speed proved too much for Castillo (2-6-1) who had difficulty defending himself.
 

Cleveland Ishe’s spectacular debut included three knockdowns of Antonio Moya in the first 3:28 of their junior middleweight fight. Ishe (1-0) blasted Moya with both hands. He scored a first round knockdown with a right hook and two subsequent knockdowns with his left hand.

Moya’s third trip to the canvas prompted referee Ray Corona to immediately stop the contest. Moya (0-1) also made his professional debut in the bout.