Puente Earns State Title With Split-Decision Victory

Greg Puente’s studied boxing strategy paid off in the Super Featherweight championship Tuesday night at the Irvine Marriott Hotel.

Puente made few mistakes in earning a split decision victory over Francisco Segura in a 12-round bout for the previously vacant state title.

The boxers earned a split decision from the two ringside judges, but the referee favored Puente.

Judge Chuck Hassett scored it 115-113 in favor of Puente, judge Fritz Warner scored it 116-115 Segura, and referee Larry Rozadilla had it 105-104 Puente.

Puente’s style is similar to that of his trainer, Danny Lopez, a former national welterweight champion. Puente took few chances throughout the first six rounds, picking and choosing his punches without allowing any openings.

From the seventh through the 10th rounds, Puente scored often, but Segura recovered to make the last two rounds respectable.

By then, however, Puente had already won the match though the difference in points was slight.

Puente, of El Monte, is 8-1. Segura is 10-2.

In the best bout of the undercard, John Armijo of Huntington Beach and Milton Bush of Westminster fought to a split decision draw at 159 pounds.

Armijo started quickly, but Bush recovered to deck Armijo in the sixth and final round.