IRVINE BOXING : Castro Worries, but Wins Anyway

Jose Castro said he was worried for much of his bout but managed to win a unanimous decision over Gilberto Flores Thursday in the main event of the monthly boxing program at the Irvine Marriott.

Castro, a lightweight from Fountain Valley, dominated the bout from the outset and won by scores of 97-95, 98-92 and 96-94.

He seemed to be in command most of the time but often would not continue his assault when it appeared he could move inside. Instead, Castro was content to throw a combination or two then retreat.

Afterward, he explained through an interpreter that he was worried about Flores’ punching power.

“We were told that he hits hard,” Castro said. “I was cautious of his right hand.”

Castro took control of the bout thanks to a quick combination in the opening round that opened a deep gash under Flores’ right eyebrow.

Despite the cornermen’s work with Vaseline and ice between rounds, the cut kept bleeding and hindered Flores’ sight the rest of the fight.

By the sixth round, Flores was bleeding from the nose and after the eighth, he had a deep cut over his left eye.

The eighth was Castro’s best chance to drop Flores, who started the round with a mild attack. But Castro quickly turned the action his way and had Flores ready to fall with about a minute left.

Flores slipped off the ropes, but Castro rapidly cut him off and had him trapped along the ropes, again landing several punches. One of the blows sent Flores’ mouthpiece flying and timeout was called by the referee while comedian Joey Bishop, who was seated ringside, retrieved it.

Given the slight reprieve, Flores was able to survive the final 30 seconds of the round.

Neither fighter had much left in the last two rounds and many in the crowd of 954 booed as the fighters shadowed each other across the ring.

Flores attempted to launch a flurry with about 30 seconds left in the final round but, as was often the case in the bout, Castro covered for a few seconds then came out swinging.

Castro had lost a main event appearance at the Marriott in June when he was knocked out by Zack Padilla in the sixth round.

“I was doing everything possible in that fight but I just wasn’t feeling good that night,” Castro said. “I felt better tonight.”

On the undercard:

Ricky Ramirez of Santa Ana dominated Jesus Bentancourt of East Los Angeles in a four-round bout between featherweights. Ramirez won by scores of 40-35, 40-35 and 39-37.

Alvaro Velasquez, a lightweight from Stanton, made his professional debut and lost a four-round decision to Fernando Chavira of Whittier. Velasquez appeared overmatched for most of the first three rounds but was able to dominate the final round.