Ring kings battle at the Sagebrush Cantina

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers SHOWDOWN AT THE SAGEBRUSH-Heavyweight Victor Barragan, right, of Oxnard lands a shot to the head of Cornell Davis. David Rodela says he wants to be the new face of boxing in Ventura County.

On Tuesday night at the Sagebrush Cantina in Calabasas, Rodela (6-1-1) took another step toward achieving his dream by notching a six-round unanimous decision over Fresno's Manuel Garcia (3-3) in the featured bout of a five match card.

Two judges scored the fight 59-55 for Rodela, while a third favored the Oxnard local by a 6054 score.

"It was a great fight. (Garcia) is a strong fighter," Rodela said. "I knew he'd never been knocked out, so I knew I was going to have to keep my distance and out-box him. Luckily I was fortunate enough to do so."

Rodela, 23, grew up in Oxnard just two blocks away from Fernando Vargas' home. Like Vargas, he also attended Channel Islands High School.

After defeating Garcia in a Super Lightweight fight that was laced with wicked combinations and neck-snapping action throughout, Rodela said he believes his developing ring skills and increasing fan base makes him the man to challenge Vargas for the title of best fighter from the area.

"It's time for a new face in Oxnard, and I think I'm the one for the 805 and Ventura County," Rodela said. "I want to do this- go the distance and make a long career out of it . . . if they can make it, so can I."

In the evening's co-featured bout, Oxnard's Crystal Morales dropped a majority decision to Liz Merel. Two judges scored the fight 40-36 for Merel, a third judge had it a 38-38 draw.

Another Oxnard fighter, Heavyweight Victor Barragan, won a unanimous decision over Cornell Davis. All three judges scored the bout 40-36.

Barragan landed a tremendous flurry of body punches in the second round. The 209-pound brawler backed Davis into the corner and wailed away at his sides for more than a minute.

Barragan said he was surprised Davis was able to withstand the onslaught of punches.

"I was banging away at him and he was running out of air," Barragan said. "I was throwing good punches, but he was a tough fighter."

The most impressive performance of the night may have gone to Middleweight Lester Gonzalez of San Diego by way of Cuba.

Gonzalez was sent to the canvas by Allan Flores early in the first round of his professional debut. He quickly regrouped, however, and knocked down Flores less than 20 seconds later.

In the second round, Gonzalez sent Flores to the canvas early before knocking him out at the 2:53 mark of Round 2.

Gilberto Serna also won his pro debut with a unanimous decision over Missael Martinez.

Celebrities in the Cantina crowd included IBA Heavyweight champion James "Lights Out" Toney and comedian Howie Mandel.