LONG BEACH, Calif. – Brandon Benitez has positioned himself to contender status at 126 pounds.

Benitez dropped Rigoberto Hermosillo multiple times, finally ending matters in round six before a raucous crowd at the Thunder Studios in Long Beach, California. 

The 25-year-old Benitez, who resides in Queretaro, Mexico, improved to 21-2, 8 knockouts. He retains a regional title belt with the victory. 

Hermosillo was game, but Benitez asserted himself and his pedigree by the end of the second round. Whether it was in the pocket or from distance, Benitez outboxed Hermosillo, outlanding the southpaw with combinations to the head and body. 

Midway through the fourth round, a barrage of punches dropped Hermosillo to the canvas. Hermosillo beat the count, but was dropped again from another combination landed to the head and body. Less than a minute left in round five, a left hook to the body dropped Hermosillo to one knee. Hermosillo did beat the count, continuing to engage in the pocket with Benitez. 

After a minute into round six, a barrage of punches dropped Hermosillo to the canvas. Referee Ray Corona saw enough, immediately stopping the fight at 1:41.

Benitez last fought on April 29, stopping Federico Pedraza in the seventh round. Back on October 7 of last year, Benitez notched his most significant win thus far as a pro, defeating Can Xu by split decision. He has won his last six fights since a knockout loss to Saul Sanchez in May 2019. 

Hermosillo falls to 14-5-1, 9 KOs. The 31-year-old, who is originally from the boxing hotbed of Guadalajara, Mexico and now resides in the Los Angeles area, had won three fights in a row, prior to the loss to Benitez, after losing his four fights. 

Junior bantamweight Adelaida Ruiz defeated Mayela Perez of Saltillo, Mexico by decision over eight one-sided rounds. All three judges scored the bout 80-72 in favor of Ruiz, who improved to 15-0-1, 8 KOs. 

Ruiz, a Los Angeles resident who is currently ranked No. 3 by The Ring in its Female rankings, outboxed the game Perez for most of the fight. The 35-year-old Ruiz was content to work from distance and connect with one or two punched behind a jab. 

In her previous fight on June 2, Ruiz stopped Maria Cecilia Roman in the eighth round. 

Perez drops to 19-27-4, 10 KOs. 

Fringe junior lightweight contender George Acosta of nearby Whittier defeated Richard Medina by unanimous decision. Scores were 78-74, 78-74 and 79-73 for Acosta, who improved 17-1, 3 KOs.

Acosta was the busier and more-effective fighter throughout much of the fight. Acosta varied his offense, but was particularly effective attacking the body of Medina, especially during the middle rounds. Medina was game, but would get outboxed during several exchanges.

The 30-year-old Acosta has won his last 10 bouts since losing by decision to Ruben Torres in May 2019. 

Medina, who resides in San Antonio, Texas, falls to 15-2, 8 KOs. 

In an action fight between bantamweights, Mario Hernandez of Santa Ana, California won a hard-fought unanimous decision over East Los Angeles’ Adrian Alvarado (8-2-1, 4 KOs). Scores were 59-55, 59-55, and 58-56 for Hernandez, who improved to 11-4-1, 3 KOs. 

Lightweight prospect Adrian Corona of nearby Rialto and Guadalajara’s Erick Benitez Garcia (5-6-1, 1 KO) fought to a majority decision draw. One judge scored the bout 58-56 for Corona, while the other two judges scored the bout 57-57.

Corona (9-1-3, 2 KOs) is the son of California referee Ray Corona. 

Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He can be reached at [email protected]

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