Erick Ituarte's (17-1-1, 2 KOs) won a, split decision over the tough as nails Isaac Zarate (12-3-2, 2 KOs) Friday night at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, California headlining the Thompson Boxing Promotions card. Scores were 76-75, 77-74 for Ituarte as one judge scored the bout 76-75 for Zarate.
Junior bantamweights and hometown rivals Ricardo Espinoza (10-2, 8 KOs) and Christian Nieto-Ayala (10-1, 4 KOs) in what was a back and forth battle as Ayala escaped with a narrow split decision win 76-75, 77-74. One judge had it for Espinoza 76-75.
Featherweight prospect Ruben Villa (6-0, 4 KOs) scored a fifth round knockout over Anthony de Jesus Ruiz (2-3, 2 KOs). Villa, unloaded a serious of damaging shots in the fifth round Ruiz had already absorbed a great deal of punishment and his corner wisely put an end to the onslaught at the 2:43 mark.
Bantamweight prospect Mario Hernandez (2-0) routinely backed up May Garduño (0-1) to win by one-sided unanimous decision. All three judges scored the bout 40-36.
Junior welterweights Juan Garcia Mendez (19-2-2, 12 KOs) and Cesar Villarraga (9-3-1, 4 KOs) put on a show during their 6-round scrap that ended in a split draw. One judge had Villarraga ahead by a wide margin (59-55), while the second observer scored it 58-56 for Mendez. The third judge had it even at 57-57.
Lightweight Brandon Trejo (1-0) of Napa, Calif. delivered a steady beating to Pablo Cupul (5-23, 3 KOs) of Lakeside, Calif. to win by unanimous decision, sweeping it 40-36 on the three scorecards