ShoBox: TNG at a Glance…
When: June 6, 2014
Where: Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, CA
Promoter: Golden Boy Promotions
Middleweight Co-Feature: Hugo Centeno, Jr., winner by decision vs. Gerardo Ibarra
Light Middleweight Co-Feature: Francisco Santana, winner by decision vs. Eddie Gomez
Twenty three year old Hugo Centeno Jr. (21-0, 11 KOs) of Oxnard, CA kept his undefeated record with a lopsided 10-round decision over late-substitute Gerardo Ibarra (14-1, 8 KOs) of Houston, TX. In his first start for new trainer Eric Brown, Centeno achieved impressive margins 99-91, 99-91 and 100-90 by relying on an in-close uppercut and a long range jab.
With regards to his opponent, Centeno said afterward, “He was a tough, durable guy who came to fight. He was a late replacement but I didn’t underestimate him. I take nothing from him.’’ As for the future, Centeno wasn’t sure if he was staying at Middleweight, or moving down to his more natural 154.
“I have to sit down with my camp and figure out what division works for us,” Centeno said. “I felt sharp at this weight. And I felt a lot sharper after just one month with Eric Brown. We’ll see how much better we’ll be after a few fights.”
Ibarra, who took the fight on a week’s notice, said he wasn’t mentally ready. “I just didn’t have enough time to prepare,’’ he said. “No excuses, the better man won tonight. He was just a little bit more ready than I was. I don’t regret taking the fight. It was a learning experience. You learn from your mistakes.”
In the co-feature, Previously undefeated Eddie Gomez (16-1, 10 KOs), of Bronx, N.Y., wasn’t so fortunate, losing an upset 10-round decision to surging Francisco Santana (20-3-1, 7 KOs), of Santa Barbara, CA who is currently on an eight fight win streak. The 5’-9 ½” tall Santana made the most of his 2 ½” height advantage in securing the win 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94.
“After the fifth round, I saw he was getting tired and I knew I had the bigger heart,’’ said Santana, who was certain the decision would go his way. “He’s talented, but I knew how to put my skills to use.
“A fighter knows when he [has] won or lost. I knew I won. It was an amazing feeling when I heard Jimmy Lennon Jr. call my name.”
Reflecting on his time in the sport, Santana added, “I pulled the upset. On paper, he was supposed to win, but I knew what I came here to do. I’ve faced the tougher guys. I’m older and I know I don’t have much time. This is my time. I want to be the first Santa Barbara fighter to win a world title.”
After losing his ShoBox debut, the 21 year old Gomez remarked, “I thought I did enough to win. He was a tough guy and there were some close rounds, but I thought I did enough. I have to take this loss like a man. That’s life. It’s part of the sport. For sure I didn’t take him lightly. This was only the second time I’d ever fought 10 full rounds like that. It is back to the drawing board. I’ll learn from this and I’ll be back.’’
Since its inception in July 2001, ShoBox: The New Generation has produced 54 world champions, an average of more than one every four telecasts. The critically acclaimed, prospect-orientated series is also a testing ground for undefeated fighters, who frequently are matched against their toughest foes to date.
Barry Tompkins called the ShoBox action from ringside with Steve Farhood and former World Champion Raul Marquez serving as expert analysts.