New Mexicans split at the Inn of the Mountains

By David Finger

Ronald Baca, 202, scored a stunning third round TKO over Marcos Duran, 197. Duran seemed to be frustrating Baca from the southpaw stance and the Cathy veteran was surprisingly not particularly active going into round three. But a picture perfect right hand counter to the chin sent Duran to the canvas and Duran rose on wobbly legs. Unable to stand, referee Robert Velez wisely waved the fight off at 1:42 of the third. With the win Baca improves to 10-4-5, 4 KOs while Duran slips to 2-2, 2 KOs.

Ronald Baca

Albuquerque’s Shaun Henson, 158, came up short on his bid for his first win since 2013, losing a decision to Damien Munoz, 158, from Levelland, Texas. Henson seemed to be able to outwork Munoz in round one, utilizing the jab effectively. But Munoz began to take control of the action in round two as Henson faded badly midway through the second round. Henson, who hadn’t fought since 2017, clearly was not able to maintain the pace that the young Texan set, and this was almost certainly complicated by the elevation. Munoz began to tee off on Henson in round three but the New Mexican refused to take a backward step and acquitted himself well despite the fact that Munoz clearly dominated the final two rounds. There were no knockdowns but the scores were academic as two judges scored the fight 40-36 while one judge gave Henson a single round. With the win Munoz improves to 3-1, 2 KOs while Henson falls to 2-6, 2 KOs.