STOCKTON, Calif. — Gabriel Flores Jr. extended his win streak to four with a unanimous decision victory over Dennis Contreras in the main event of a Halloween-themed boxing event at Adventist Health Arena.
The judges scored the bout 80-72, 80-72, and 79-73, all in favor of the 22-year-old Flores (25-2, 8 KOs), a Stockton native now residing in Las Vegas.
Despite a flashy entrance that featured stilt walkers, a fire breather, and a contortionist dressed as a zombie cheerleader, Flores was unable to stop 32-year-old Mexican veteran Contreras (24-15-1, 22 KOs), a last-minute replacement who managed to survive.
Flores acknowledged afterward that his lack of an early body attack hindered his ability to secure a stoppage.
“I think a fight against Nicholas Walters would be a great step-up for me,” Flores said, referencing the forme featherweight titleholder, who is scheduled to fight Joseph Diaz Jr. on Nov. 9 on ProBox TV.
Flores Sr., his father, trainer, and lead promoter, was pleased with the show and said they plan to continue promoting events, mentioning Sacramento and San Jose as potential locations in the future.
In the co-main event, junior lightweight Dominique Francis (16-0, 10 KOs) of Miami stopped Julio Carrera in the fourth round with a body shot at 2:21. Junior bantamweight Jessie James Guerrero (4-0-3, 4 KOs), nephew of former titleholder Robert Guerrero, fought to a split-draw with Bryan Santiago (1-1-1). The judges scored it 58-56 for Guerrero, 58-56 for Santiago, and 57-57.
Junior bantamweight Andrew Rodriguez (5-0, 1 KO) of Salinas, Calif., dropped Marcelino Rangel (1-1) of Toledo, Ohio, with a body shot en route to a unanimous decision, winning by the scores of 40-35.
Featherweight Kyle Lacanlale (2-0, 2 KOs) picked up a third-round TKO over Ricardo Antonio Luna (0-2) at 0:53.
Women’s welterweight Jennah “The Gem” Creason (2-0) won a unanimous decision over Roshetta Vatuvei (0-1) after the bout was stopped due to an incidental foul in the final round. All three judges scored it 40-36 for Creason.
Lightweight Steve Canela (1-0) won his pro debut, earning a four-round unanimous decision over David Music (0-1) with scores of 40-36.
Women’s flyweight Tatiana Almaraz (1-4) earned her first career win with a unanimous decision over Vickie Chao (0-1), with scores of 40-36, 40-36, and 39-37.
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