David Rodela’s game plan was clear; to box. Eric Cruz’ intentions were also clear; to bang. Rodela executed his plan more consistently and narrowly defeated Cruz to win a 77-75, 74-78, 77-75 split decision victory. Presented by Golden Boy Promotions, Rodela v. Cruz headlined Fight Night Club at Club Nokia – LA Live.

Rodela (15-3-3) opened with an active jab and effective movement. Circling to his left, Rodela stayed away from the power punching right hand of Cruz (7-3-3, 7 KOs). He did much of the same in the second and third, sticking to a game plan orchestrated and communicated by his corner. “Don’t sit inside D”, instructed his corner. “Watch that right”, implored his manager. Undeterred, Cruz pressed forward and caught Rodela more frequently over the second half of the fight.

A blistering combination bloodied Rodela’s nose midway through the fourth. Rodela scored with jabs but lingered inside when he went to the body. As the fight progressed and Rodela slowed, Cruz caught Rodela backing straight out and stung him with hooks upstairs. Cruz pressed the action over the final rounds to win the crowd and make the fight close.
 

Welterweight prospect Frankie Gomez jumped on Akeem Akinbode (1-3-1) and didn’t stop punching until referee Jerry Cantu stepped between the fighters to halt the bout at :46 seconds of the opening round.

Gomez (3-0) fired from the bell and refused to let Akinbode out of his corner. Akinbode was simply overwhelmed and didn’t do enough to convince Cantu otherwise.
 

Former world title contender Jose Navarro had little trouble solving Benji Garcia over six bantamweight rounds. Fighting in Los Angeles for the first time since 2004, Navarro (27-5) returned home in hoping of returning to winning ways. Navarro got on track in the first with an effective counter left. He followed up in the second with a stiff jab and lead lefts. Garcia (14-15-3) gave up 3-4 inches in both height and reach and had trouble getting close. He fought mad in the third and landed a haymaker but still lost the round decisively. Garcia pushed forward in the fourth and ate uppercuts for his effort.

Garcia did his best work when he trapped Navarro against the ropes and hooked to the body. When Navarro pumped the jab and kept Garcia at the end of his punches Garcia had no answers. Navarro staggered Garcia in the sixth but couldn’t knock him off his feet. Navarro won by three identical scores of 60-54.
 

In a battle of hooks and will, southpaw Jesus Rodriguez defeated Jesus Juarez in a brutal four round lightweight fight. Trading power shots for three minutes of every round, both men suffered and wore the damage on their faces. The judges favored Rodriguez by scores of 39-37 and 40-36 twice.
 

Ramon Valadez made his professional debut a success by winning a four round unanimous decision over Javier Romero. Valadez (1-0) dominated Romero from bell to bell with both hand speed and punch output. Romero (0-4-1) fell over from exhaustion in the first and chose to stay upright by holding onto Valadez for the remainder of the fight. All three judges scored the bout 40-36.