Juan Reyes (9-1-2, 1KO) and Jonathan Arellano (13-2-2, 3KOs) fought to a majority draw in the main event of “New Blood,” the boxing series hosted by Thompson Boxing Promotions at the Omega Products outdoor arena in Corona, CA. The stellar eight rounds of boxing where fought in the featherweight division.

Jonathan Arellano, 24, was fresh off two consecutive losses to two promising prospects in Roman Morales and Jesse Magdaleno. Juan Reyes came into tonight’s main event having won his last five fights. The above along with the discussed fighter’s differing styles made for a really good main event.

The fight started as advertised. Jonathan Arrellano set out to box. Juan Reyes innately bulled forward and instantly landed a clean overhand right to score the first knockdown of the night in the opening seconds of the bout. Arellano reciprocated with a stellar performance in the rounds that followed. He staggered Reyes in the opening seconds of round two and soundly won the round with a plethora of clean blows. Arrellano showed that he is much more than just a boxer tonight.

Juan Reyes, 24, had no qualms about standing right in front of Jonathan Arrellano throughout the duration of the fight. This strategy gave Arrellano time to set up his attack. Arrellano effectively boxed on his heels and continued to work in a classic round three that saw both fighters get off. It is this writer’s perspective that Arrellano was taking control of the fight with his superior ring generalship and pounding blows. The latter was evident in round five as he caught Juan Reyes coming in with a flush straight right. The blow sent Reyes on his back for the first time in the fight. As the story goes, Reyes got up and never stopped throwing punches.

Bell Garden’s Juan Reyes was all heart. He got up off the canvas and finished the fight strong. Jonathan Arrellano slowed a bit in the championship rounds, but Reyes never did. Both pugilists continued to land penetrating blows up to the final bell. Judge Marty Denkin saw the bout 76-74 for Reyes. Max De Luca and Pat Connoly scored the fight a draw 75-75. Rematch Anyone!


Alex Theran Keeps His Perfect Record

Colombia’s Alex Theran (15-0, 9KO) scored an uneventful unanimous decision victory against Justin Williams (4-9-2, 2KOs) in the six round middleweight co-featured bout. All three judges scored the bout 60-54.

Alex Theran, 22, fought out of the southpaw stance and had endless success landing his stick. He followed through with spirited and unanswered hooks. Justin Williams made the fight difficult with his awkward defense but Theran found ways to get around it.


Daniel Roman Easily Defeats Jose Iniguez

Daniel “The Baby Assassin” Roman (8-1-1, 3KOs) knocked out Jose Iniguez (6-17, 1KO). The scheduled six round bout in the featherweight division only lasted two rounds. Roman was clearly the better-prepped fighter. He was taller, leaner, and stronger. The latter spelled out the obvious. Roman landed a picturesque left hook to his foe’s torso to score his first knockdown. He then stopped Iniguez with a similar blow. This time around it was a right hook to the body that did the damage. The bout was stopped 2 minutes 56 seconds into round two.


Oscar Godoy Stops Rogelio Castaneda Jr.

Watsonville’s Oscar Godoy (11-2, 6KOs) stopped Rogelio Castaneda Jr. (26-17-3, 8KOs) in round two of the scheduled six round welterweight scrap. Godoy overcame a cut above his right eyelid, which was caused by a head bunt in the opening assault. He stopped his counterpart 2 minutes 47 seconds into the second stanza.

Oscar Godoy applied pressure from the opening bell. He worked well behind his jab that never met any resistance from Rogelio Castaneda Jr. He landed a flurry of blows in round two that had Castaneda out on the ropes. Referee Jack Reiss intervene and saw Castaneda fit to continue after a standing eight count. Godoy quickly followed up and scored the second knockdown of the night. Castaneda’s corner threw in the towel as Jack Reiss was issuing the second customary eight count of the fight.


Fernando Fuentes Shuts Out Alex Hipolito

Fernando Fuentes (3-1, 2KOs) scored a unanimous decision victory against a gutty Alex Hipolito (1-1, 1KO) in a four round featherweight war. The opening fight of the night was a classic brawl. Fuentes controlled the fight with his jab, which set up his straight right all night. Alex Hipolito was not to be out done. He countered Fuentes with crushing looping right and left hooks. The blows landed but Fuentes never once took a step back. Judges Max De Luca and Marty Denkin both scored the fight 40-36 while Pat Connoly saw the fight 39-37.