Top Rank had to adjust with its original main event fight being canceled, but Gabriel Flores Jr. didn’t have much trouble being thrust into the national spotlight as a headliner.
Flores easily outclassed Josec Ruiz throughout 10 rounds to win a lightweight bout by unanimous decision on Top Rank’s fourth ESPN show this month. Thanks to a knockdown in the second round, Flores won the fight with all three judges scoring the fight 100-89.
Starting out, Flores was extremely sharp as a puncher, not allowing Ruiz to get into any rhythm whatsoever. Ruiz wasn’t able to land much in the first round as Flores was able to step back whenever he needed to avoid getting hit while Flores had an easy time landing punches. Midway through the second round, Flores connected on a left hook and after a short flurry of punches, Flores dropped Ruiz with a straight right.
Although Ruiz got back up and recovered, there was little he could do for the remainder of the fight, save for an overhand right later in the bout that landed cleanly on Flores’ face. Flores’ punch output went down after the third fight, but still wasn’t at risk or losing the fight, outboxing Ruiz.
The fight was originally slated to take place on the undercard but the event’s original main event, Jose Pedraza vs. Mikkel LesPierre, was canceled after LesPierre’s manager tested positive for COVID-19.
The rest of the card moved forward as planned. The highlight of the night saw former UFC fighter Clay Collard play the role of spoiler once again and ending a prospect’s unbeaten record. This time, it was David Kaminsky who suffered his first pro loss.
Collard was all over Kaminsky from the start of the fight, putting pressure on him with constant flurries and operating at awkward angles. Kaminsky, seemingly unprepared for the unorthodox style that Collard brought to the table, suffered plenty of bruises all over his face.
Collard ended up outworking Kaminsky throughout the six rounds as Kaminsky struggled at times to keep up with his opponent’s unrelenting pace. Collard ended up winning the fight by split decision (58-56, 56-58, 58-56).
Below are the full results of the June 18 Top Rank on ESPN card from Las Vegas:
* Gabriel Flores Jr. defeated Josec Ruiz by unanimous decision (100-89, 100-89, 100-89)
* Victor Rodriguez defeated Justin Horsley by unanimous decision (40-36, 40-36, 40-36)
* Frevian Gonzalez defeated Jose Martinez by unanimous decision (40-36, 39-37, 39-37)
* Clay Collard defeated David Kaminsky by split decision (58-56, 56-58, 58-56)
* Robert Rodriguez defeated Adrian Servin by TKO, round 2, 2:48
Top Rank’s next ESPN card will take place on June 20, headlined by WBO super bantamweight champion Emanuel Navarrete competing at featherweight in a non-title fight.
