Armijo Wins Lopsided Decision Over Sanchez

John Armijo was as wild as ever Thursday night, but he landed enough punches to score a one-sided decision in the main event of the monthly boxing program at the Irvine Marriott.

Armijo (12-2-1) defeated Ali Sanchez by scores of 99-92, 98-92, 98-93, in the middleweight bout in front of 1,180.

Sanchez (11-12) had a strong second round during which he was active for most of the three minutes. But after that, he spent his time trying to duck the charging Armijo.

Armijo was warned for stepping on Sanchez’s foot in the third round. He took Sanchez to the ground in the fifth and then shoved him halfway through the ropes in the seventh.

But between such things, Armijo constantly threw punches, something Sanchez didn’t seem interested in doing.

Armijo’s best and cleanest round was the 10th, when he landed several combinations and finished much stronger than he started the bout. Armijo suffered a slight head butt in the fifth but was able to continue.

“I didn’t feel tired at all,” Armijo said. “He didn’t hurt me any more than a bee would if it stung me. I felt like I was ahead the whole time.

“Now I want to keep active and things will come my way.”

It was the final card of the year for the Marriott and the final card for promoter Don Fraser, who retired after 45 years in boxing.

Fraser first promoted bouts at the Irvine Marriott seven years ago. It was the 77th show he had done there. Roy Englebrecht, who was the event coordinator for Fraser, will take over as promoter when the programs start again Jan. 23.