Tim Parsons / Tahoe Onstage photos
Carson City native and professional boxing lightweight Diego Elizondo lost to Eric Puente by majority decision on Tuesday during the Top Rank Boxing Summer Series at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Elizondo, 21, is 2-2-2 in six professional fights. Puente of Vista, California, improved to 3-0 in three professional fights. He confirmed the news via his Facebook account after the fight.
Two judges ruled the fight in Puente’s favor and one judge ruled it a draw. Elizondo took the fight on three weeks notice and said he came out flat in the final two rounds.
“I knew it was probably the right decision. I’m not complaining, no excuses on my end,” Elizondo told Tahoe Onstage. “I got some work in, but it was tough on three weeks notice and I couldn’t regain much momentum in the end.”
Elizondo came out with an aggressive approach in the first two rounds. The southpaw landed several jabs and moved his feet well in the ring.
“I felt really good in the first round and I feel like I won the second,” he said. “I landed some punches and kept (Puente) on his toes. It was a good way to start out.”
Puente took control of the final two rounds with powerful strikes as Elizondo couldn’t regain any momentum. The two boxers put up a tough fight, but Puente walked away victorious.
“I faded in those final two rounds and he did a good job of putting together some combinations,” Elizondo said. “In the end, there’s no excuses and I should’ve done better. … Eric (Puente) is a tough cat.”
Elizondo is looking to rebound off the loss in the near future. After the fight, he said Top Rank Boxing wants him fighting in another professional bout to prove himself.
“I’m gonna do my best and give it my all,” he said. “I’m not scared of nobody. … I’m just grateful to be in this position and be where I’m at.”
The Top Rank Summer Boxing Series continues until 8 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. Kendo “Tremendo” Castaneda faces Jose Zepeda as the welterweight main event.
—Isaiah Burrows
