Photos: Esther Lin/Showtime
By Fightnews.com
Local lightweight fan favorite Manuel Mendez (13-1-2, 9 KOs) scored a sudden first round KO over previously undefeated Vitor Jones Freitas (12-1, 6 KOs) on Friday night at the Omega International Event Center in Corona, California. A body shot put Freitas down for the count. Time was 2:32. Freitas is the nephew of Brazilian ring great Acelino Freitas, who was in attendance.
In the main event, undefeated WBO #9, WBA #13 welterweight Taras “Real Deal” Shelestyuk (15-0, 9 KOs) scored a hard fought ten round unanimous decision over Jaime Herrera (15-4-1, 8 KOs) to retain his NABO title. Shelestyuk, a 2012 Olympic bronze medalist, prevailed 96-93, 96-93, 95-94.
In a clash of undefeated cruiserweights, Constantin Bejenaru (12-0, 4 KOs) recovered from a trip to the canvas to outpoint Stivens “Superman” Bujaj (16-1-1, 11 KOs) over ten rounds. Bujaj dropped Bejenaru in round five with a short left hook, but otherwise Bejenaru was by far the busier fighter. It was a dirty fight with many headbutts and Bujaj appeared to bite Bejenaru at one point. Bujaj was deducted a point for hitting on the break in round nine. Scores were 97-91 across the board for Bejenaru. The vacant WBC International and WBC Continental Americas titles were on the line.
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