On a night loaded with world champions, Roberto Duran and the Canizales were all in attendance at the Sames Auto Arena in Laredo. It was the youngsters that stole the show. Undefeated 17-year-old phenom Felis "Gatito" Garcia and Joshua "Spotlight" Montoya captivated the packed-out crowd in the main and co-main events.
At just 17 years old, Garcia is headlining shows in his home city, and throughout the night, he showed maturity and resolve beyond his years. To the delight of his hometown fans, "Gatitio" showed cat-like reflexes making his opponent Joe Casiano of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico miss over and over again. Garcia ripped hooks to the head and body, keeping Casiano uncomfortable and at bay. Throughout the middle rounds, Garcia's hook started wearing Casiano down, and started separating himself on the cards. With the fight still in doubt, the 17-year-old closed the show like a veteran. Landing big right hands. He began scoring with that punch constantly. One last big right scored for the Texan just before the 10-second clap. It sealed the round and the fight for Garcia, who won a hard-earned split decision by scores of 60-54 and 58-56, with the third judge scoring in favor of Casiano 59-55.
In the co-main event, Joshua "Spotlight" Montoya, of Lubbock, put on a show from start to finish and gave a career-best performance against Jorge " El Gallo Giro" Ramos in Ramos's hometown. After a careful start that saw Ramos having moments with his jab and follow-up right hand that seemed to disrupt the quickness and counter shots of the quicker and more athletic Montoya. However, by the middle rounds, the Lubboch native seized control of the fight, firing in counter left hooks and right hands. He would work his way onto the inside, unleash a lightning-quick combination and get out of the way before Ramos could return fire. Ramos rallied a bit in the fifth with his jab but couldn't sustain it, and Montoya came roaring back. The visiting Montoya began showboating and making Ramon miss while firing pinpoint accurate right hands. Ramos gave a Vaillant ever but seemed just a bit slower all night long. The pair touched up and exchanged toe-to-toe for the final 10 seconds. Ramos landed clean with a right hand. However, it was too little too late, as Montoya took a UD by scores of 60-54, 59-55, and 58-56. Montoya has now won four fights in a row to move his record to 6-4-2 (0) and take home the ABF Atlantic Super Featherweight title.
The undercard portion was loaded as well. US National champion Fabian Arredondo of Freeport made his pro debut a successful for taking a four-round decision over ring veteran Steveen Angeles. 14X national champ Jesus "Panterita" Martinez of Del Rio also chalked up a win with a dominant second-round TKO of Jaime Guevara. Martinez dominated behind a ferocious body attack and a busier jab than usual. He moved his record to 4-0-1 (2). Juan Garcia of Carrizo Springs went the distance for the first time and got good work with elusive veteran Ricardo Mena. Garcia improved his record to 3-0 (2) and dominated the action while Mena appeared to go into survival mode and was content with going the distance. Laredo native Alex Ramos also improved his record to 6-1 (3) while pressuring and overwhelming Frank Boston in a fan-friendly fight. Hector "Tito" Ferreyro moved his record to 6-0 (3), via a body shot just 2:46 into the opening round.
In the fight of the night, Jose Cardenas used a first-round knockout to win an all-out brawl with Hugo "Tigre" Castaneda to move his record to 7-0 (5), and Bruno Pola got up off the canvas after he was dropped just moments into the fight to blow out an overaggressive to Mario Jaramillo to pick up a second-round TKO and capture the ABF Super middleweight title.