The counter right hand of Ramos was on display again in the fifth round, but the heart and chin of Perez only grew stronger as time wore on. Ramos, labeled as a slick boxer, was forced to do a lot more punching with authority as he mixed in a potent left hook throughout the round. Perez continued his persistent body attack, but seemed a shade beneath Ramos in effectiveness due to his lack of speed. Ramos relied more upon his legs for much of the sixth as he stepped to the side to avoid Perez’ counterattack. Ramos threw mostly single punches, but remained in control with his boxing savvy and Perez’ slowed output.
Perez came out for the seventh looking to get himself back into the fight. Perez bullied Ramos along the ropes and landed a number of wild, winging shots. Ramos appeared stunned in the opening seconds, but he returned fire with faster combinations and stunned Perez in return. As Perez began to ease up on his pressure, Ramos seized the reigns with smoother boxing. The pace of the round slowed, but Ramos controlled it with good footwork and well-timed punches. Ramos relied on flashier shots to win the eighth round. Perez was hit flush numerous times, but there was not the same commitment on Ramos’ punches as seen earlier in the fight. The right hand of Ramos still landed at will and was instrumental in Pico Rivera, California native’s first eight round experience.
The three judges scoring from ringside awarded Ramos the decision by margins of 78-73, 80-71 and, 80-71. Perez remained unbeaten at 14-0 (8) while Perez fell to 14-2-1 (9).
In the main event of the ShoBox card, undefeated John Molina Jr. took an enormous step up in opposition as he faced seasoned veteran Martin Honorio in a lightweight bout.
Honorio, typically a featherweight, used his jab well and landed a long left hook throughout the bout, but was open to counters from Molina. Honorio’s experience showed as he dictated most of the action, but Molina kept his composure and landed several power shots of his own. The defense of Molina Jr. remained porous throughout the second, but Honorio only threw single shots to the head and body. Honorio found success circling Molina Jr. to the left to avoid counters and prevent his younger opponent from mounting a serious attack.
Honorio maintained control and delivered a dominant third round as he repeatedly broke through the defense of Molina Jr. with quick jabs and straight right hands. Molina Jr. never appeared hurt, but he wore a befuddled look upon his face. Molina Jr. landed more actively later in the round and his power was evident as he was able to move his naturally smaller opponent with the force of his blows, but could not hurt him. Molina Jr. allowed Honorio to control the pace of the fourth as well as he waited for his opponent to throw punches. The undefeated prospect found his range late in the fourth, but Honorio opened up with more punches in the most entertaining three minutes of the early goings.
Honorio took advantage of Molina Jr.’s inability to get his hands back into a defensive posture after punching with quick counters. Honorio boxed more safely on the outside and used his feet to circle the ring. Molina Jr. landed a solid hook, but it was not followed up and Honorio seemed unfazed. Molina Jr. started the sixth more vigorously and started getting his punches off first. The right hand of the unbeaten prospect started finding a home more consistently. Both men began showing signs of swelling around the eyes. A clash of heads opened a cut high on the scalp of Honorio while the veteran’s head came up from a heated body attack.
Molina Jr. came out for his first seventh round as a professional calmly, but Honorio was in familiar territory. Honorio’s experienced allowed him to weather the storm and even though his legs appeared less sturdy, he managed to outland Molina Jr. in the trenches. His power even appeared to have more impact on Molina Jr., who appeared to need a knockout to salvage his unbeaten record. In the eighth, Honorio repeatedly snapped the head back of the younger prospect with a quick jab. His diligent body attack was not neglected either.
Honorio backpedaled most of the ninth round while Molina Jr. chased him around the ring. Honorio still landed the better shots as he appeared to be waiting for his younger nemesis to make mistakes and leave himself open. Molina Jr. obliged the veteran contender every step of the way. The final round mirrored much of the night’s action. Molina Jr. came out looking for the KO, but Honorio stood toe to toe with him in spite of his corner’s instructions to move. Honorio was just too seasoned for Molina Jr. and the win should keep the perennial contender in line for another title shot.
The judges from ringside awarded the victory to Martin Honorio by scores of 99-91 and 98-92 (twice). Honorio moved his record to 26-4-1 (14) while Molina Jr. dropped to 18-1 (14).
