In a grueling 12-round war between two natives of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, Hugo Ruiz (28-1, 25 KOs) took a close unanimous decision against Francisco Arce (31-7-3, 22 KOs) in a bout which saw both fighters hit the canvas twice.
The longer, leaner Ruiz was more effective from the outside and controlled the action from a distance, but Arce managed to turn the fight into an inside war on several occasions and take several rounds.
Arce sent Ruiz to the canvas in the third round with a wide left hook and again in the eighth with a barrage of wild shots.
Ruiz scored a controversial knockdown in the fifth, which replays revealed as more of a push. In the 11th, the defending WBA interim bantamweight titlist landed a right rand that sent Arce completely through the ropes and to the cement floor.
Both fighters, sensing the fight was likely close, came out fast and furious in the 12th and ended the bout, both expecting to take the contest.
The judges’ scorecards read: 114-109, 114-109, 112-111, all in favor of Ruiz.
After the bout, Arce questioned the decisions of referee Robert Hoyle and demanded an immediate rematch. Ruiz agreed and said that it would be an honor.
Other noteworthy fights:
(IBF super flyweight title) Cristian Mijares Retains via UD 12 over Carlos Rueda; (Catchweight) Shawn Estrada KO 1 Joe Gardner; (junior middleweight) Javier Molina UD 4 Danny Figueroa
