Former world title challenger Andy Ruiz out-pointed American gate keeper Kevin Johnson over 10 rounds in Fresno, California on Saturday night.
Johnson, 32-10-1-(16), used all his experience to get through the 10 rounds but in the end Ruiz was judged the winner by scores of 97-93 twice and 99-91. It was by no means a classic but Ruiz did a professional job against a highly skilled operator.
Speaking after the fight Ruiz said: “I still need some work, but having these 10 rounds was a good experience,” a victorious Ruiz said last night. “We’re just improving and getting better. I’d love to face Jarrell Miller or any of the big guys out there, and they’ll probably underestimate me after this performance. The next one will be different.”
After the main event between WBC super lightweight champ Jose Ramirez and Danny O’Connor fell apart 24 hours earlier welterweight Egidijus “Mean Machine” Kavaliauskas and Juan Carlos Abreu took centre stage at the Save Mart Arena with Kavaliauskas, 20-0-(16), who was cut over both eyes but still managed to grind out a tough 10 round points win by scores of 97-93 twice and 96-94.
Speaking to ESPN after the fight Kavaliauskas said. “I’m ready for all of the big names. I give 200 percent in the gym and I will always give my best in the ring.
“Everything did not go as well as I expected. Abreu was very fast and very slick. In the beginning, I needed a couple of rounds to make adjustments.”
Other results
super featherweight Andy Vences w pts 10 Frank De Alba (
lightweight Gabriel Flores Jr w pts 6 James De Herrera (
super featherweight Joseph Adorno tko 3 Guadalupe De Leon
super lightweight Ruben Rodriguez w pts 4 Richard “Sugar Ray” Howell
Super bantamweight Santos Ortega w pts 4 Ivan Martino