Oscar Duarte Wins

Oscar Duarte beats Madueno in Mexican Battle

(All Photos by Al Applerose) 

By Lauren Rodriguez

ANAHEIM, Ca.- Golden Boy Promotions took over Honda Center Saturday night with a stacked fight night. The event boasted 11 bouts with 6 on the undercard and 5 broadcasted on DAZN.

The main event was a battle for the WBA Continental Americas super lightweight title between two Mexican fighters Oscar Duarte (28-2-1) of Chihuahua and Sinaloa’s Miguel Madueno (31-3 28 KO’s).

The two took turns throwing hands in the ring, battling head to head as they snuck in uppercuts and punches to the torso.

In the 4th round, the two missed overhand shots. Madueño threw jabs along the rope. Duarte cornered Madueno as he battered him with punches that made the crowd scream. Still along the ropes, Madueño struggled his way into the center of the ring before throwing a final punch of the round. Madueño continued to fight from the ropes before slamming his left hand into Duarte. Madueño continued with uppercuts as Duarte adjusted to corner him. The two slammed uppercuts to each other's body, hoping the other would tire out first.

In the middle rounds Duarte continued to move forward, cutting off the ring for Madueño. Duarte opened the opportunity to open fire on Madueño who countered to the face. But Duarte was in control.

Though Duarte continued to corner Madueño, the Sinaloan showed no hesitation in fighting from the ropes. Duarte amped up his punches, throwing Madueños head to the side. Madueno used his jab to keep Duarte away who kept creeping closer. Madueno fired back using his right hand to slow Duarte.

In the seventh Duarte seized his opportunity striking Madueno with a series of combinations to the stomach and face. A volley of 20 resounding blows struck Madueno who toppled sideways before referee Thomas Taylor halted the bout at 2:09 of the 7th round.

“I am very happy for the great performance. Miguel Madueno is a hero and a great fighter.  From the first round, I felt his punch and I knew it wasn't going to be an easy fight and fortunately for the great preparation we did here in California with Robert Garcia. My entire team is very happy for the victory,” said Duarte.

Duarte expressed his congratulations for Arnold Barboza who earlier in the day defeated Jack Catterall for the interim super lightweight title by split decision saying, he wants a world championship too.

“Congratulate Arnold Barboza on his victory and tell him that I am here waiting for him…In my head, there is only the world championship and I dream of having it. Tell all the champions and anyone who gives me the opportunity that I will be very happy to fight them,” said Duarte. 

Other Bouts

The co-main event was between Darius Fulghum (14-0 12 ko’s) and Winfred Harris Jr (22-3-2, 10 kos).

Harris Jr struggled to stay upright as Fulghum pushed him along the ropes. Harris seemed dazed early in the fight as Fulghum struck him with left-right combinations. By the third round, Harris Jr. seemed to be weak in the knees, leaning against the ropes. Fulghum continued to slam his right hand into Harris as Harris tried to keep upright. Harris appeared to fight in slow motion leaving Fulghum unphased. In the fourth round Harris seemed to be more precise, countering Fulgham but by the end of the round weakened again as the referee was forced to interfere. Fulghum’s knockout victory came at 2:18 of the fourth round. Fulghum remains undefeated with 14 victories, 12 by way of knockout.

In the flyweight division, Ricardo Sandoval (26-2,18 ko’s) went against Saleto Henderson (10-2 7 ko’s). Sandoval threw precise punches while Henderson attempted to explode as he tried to weave his body away from the damage. Henderson overextended his right hand, which left his feet off balance and his punches lacking power. 

Henderson's attempted to zoom in and out in a quick manner resulted in him being tangled up in repercussions. Sandoval managed to keep his composure despite fighting an awkward fighter. 

The bout was scored: 98-92, 100-90 twice a unanimous decision for Sandoval as the winner.

Kenneth Sims Jr (22-2-1, 8 KO’s) of Chicago faced off against Kendo Castaneda (21-8 9 KO’s). Sims began the first round using his jab to set up a hefty right hook into Castaneda’s side. 

Castaneda responded with heavy right overhands that stunned Sims Jr. The crowd cheered for Castaneda but the lack of support in the audience only fueled Sims Jr. who held his hand up to hype the cheering before continuing to work his gloves into his opponent's body. 

The two appeared to be a perfect match, throwing combinations and countering blows with some of their own as they looked for a knockout. By the 8th round, Castaneda's attacks dwindled, his gloves remaining high. The bout was scored 98-92, 99-91 twice a unanimous decision in favor of Sims Jr. 

DAZN opener of the night was a welterweight bout between Joel Iriarte (6-0, 6 KOs) of Bakersfield and Darel Harris (19-23-2, 14 KOs). Iriarte earned his 6th knockout and 6th victory. 

Prelims

In the cruiserweight division, Yair Gallardo (9-0, 8 KOs) went against Carlos Miranda (7-2, 3 KOs) of Honduras. The bout was cut short as Miranda was knocked down at 1:41 of the first round. The knockout victory improves Gallardo to 8 victories as he remains undefeated.

In the lightweight division, Daniel Garcia (11-0, 9 KOs) went three of six rounds against Francisco Pacheco (7-4-2). Pacheco suffered a cut from an accidental headbutt in the first round. Garcia with a KO victory improved to 11 wins undefeated.

In the super bantamweight division, Gael Cabrera (7-0 4 KOs) went against Roberto Pucheta (14-26-3, 8 KOs). The bout was scored 60-54, a unanimous decision victory for Cabrera. 

Orange native, Fabian Guzman (7-0, 7 KO’s) was able to remain undefeated just minutes away from his hometown as he earned a knockout victory in the first round of the scheduled 6-round bout in the middleweight division against Daniel Lim (1-3, 3Kos). The knockout came at 2:59 in the first round after Lim was knocked down twice.

In the welterweight division, Javier Meza (2-0, 2  KO) went two of the four rounds against Lyle McFarlane (3-7, 1 KO). Meza earned his second victory by way of knockout improving to 2-0.

Kevin Gudino (2-0 2 ko) went 3 out of 4 rounds against Rafael Castillo (2-4, 1 KO). The bout ended at 0:35 of the 3rd round. Gudino was the winner.