In the exact type of fight card that typifies what ShoBox: The New Generation has been about since its inception in July 2001, one highly regarded prospect was upset and another was unveiled Saturday in a pair of exciting slugfests on a special edition of ShoBox on SHOWTIME®.
The main event was won by Martin Honorio, a decided underdog, who outworked, outpunched and, ultimately, outclassed previously undefeated John Molina en route to winning an impressive, lopsided 10-round decision and the vacant North American Boxing Federation (NABF)/North American Boxing Organization (NABO) 135-pound titles.
The more experienced Honorio, of Bell, Calif., by way of Mexico City, won by the scores of 99-91 and 98-92 twice, to improve to 27-4-1 with 14 knockouts. The victory was the third in a row for Honorio, who once fought for a featherweight world title. Molina, of Covina, Calif., dropped to 18-1 with 14 knockouts.
In an excellent co-feature at Pechanga Resort and Casino, undefeated super bantamweight Rico “Suavecito” Ramos (14-0, 8 KOs) of Los Angeles scored a second-round knockdown en route to a hard-fought eight-round decision over game, hard-trying Alejandro “El Alacran” Perez (14-2-1, 9 KOs) of Salinas, Calif., by the scores of 80-71 twice and 78-73.
The doubleheader was promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions.
Honorio dictated the pace with nice combinations and movement as he mostly dominated the naturally bigger Molina, who had won his last five by knockout but didn’t come close in this one.
“The weight difference was definitely a factor for the first few rounds, but I got more comfortable as the fight went on,’’ Honorio said. “This is definitely the biggest win of my career. He hit me a few times but he never stunned or hurt me. But I felt like I was hurting him.
“I would love to give him a rematch, but only if the fight was made on my terms, at 130 pounds. I fought this one on his terms.’’
Said Molina, who entered the ring at less than 100 percent: “I had a battle out there today. The fact that I had the flu is no excuse. (But) I couldn't pull the trigger. I couldn't do what I wanted tonight.
“It hit me last minute. I slept until 5 p.m. today. I had the opportunity to pull out of the fight but I didn't because it was a sold out crowd and I had a responsibility because I am the favorite.
"Martin Honorio is a great fighter and he did well tonight. Am I satisfied? Absolutely not. Do I want a rematch? Yes.‘’
Ramos and Perez gave it their all for 24 non-stop action minutes of countless exchanges.
“I did very good,’’ Ramos said. “He was strong and to accomplish what I did in the ring took a lot of hard work in the gym and it paid off. We did what we had to. I went into the ring expecting him to be strong and I had to use my movements and my jabs.
"I was expecting to win every round but didn't plan of ever dropping him. I got head-butted a couple times but it didn't hurt me - it gave me more adrenaline and got me going."
Al Bernstein called Saturday’s action from ringside with Steve Farhood serving as expert analyst. The executive producer of ShoBox is Gordon Hall with Richard Gaughan producing and Rick Phillips directing.
