Morgan City’s own Deonte Brown (17-0, 11 KOs) walked into Commerce, California with his chin high and left with another win on his record. Fighting under the bright lights of the Commerce Casino on DAZN, the 29-year-old handled Venezuela’s Grimardi Machuca (17-3, 14 KOs) like a man clocking in for work — sharp jab, steady feet, nothing fancy, just business.
Ten rounds later, the judges all saw it the same: a clean sweep for Brown. It wasn’t brutal, but it was controlled. Machuca pressed, Brown pivoted, and by the end, it was clear who belonged in charge.
Brown Didn’t Need Flash — Just Control
“I feel like I went out there and showcased my skills,” Brown said afterward. “We knew he was tough, so we wanted to come for the knockout. It would’ve been better if the knockout came, but we’ll take it how we got it. I feel like I can go 10 more rounds.”
And he probably could have. Brown fought calm, using that jab to disrupt rhythm, stepping around danger like it was muscle memory. The Louisiana kid isn’t loud, but his control says enough.
Behind him, Red Owl Boxing kept the card tight — 50/50 fights, prospects versus tested veterans, no filler. Gabriel Fanous’ outfit is quickly building a name for letting fighters learn the hard way — in the fire.
Chaos and Close Calls on the Undercard
Before Brown’s quiet dominance, the night had its share of noise. Former title challenger Saul Sanchez (21-4-1, 12 KOs) tried to avenge a 2019 loss against Puerto Rico’s Edwin Rodriguez (12-9-3, 5 KOs). It didn’t go his way — or anyone’s really — ending in a majority draw after eight rounds of toe-to-toe exchanges.
Sanchez wasn’t thrilled: “I thought I won the fight. I’m not sure what the judges saw.”
Rodriguez fired back: “The world saw what happened. I came to fight and I wasn’t the favorite. I believe I did enough to win.”
Elsewhere, Darian Castro (4-0, 1 KO) picked himself up from a knockdown to beat Criztec Bazaldua (6-2, 1 KO) by decision. “I worked hard for this victory,” Castro said. “I stuck to the gameplan.”
And in her pro debut, 2020 U.S. Olympian Shakilya Ellis (1-0) showed exactly why the hype’s real, outpointing Maria Salinas (27-13-6, 7 KOs) in a composed performance. “It feels like I’m just getting started,” Ellis said. “Most of these females haven’t had to fight someone like me.”
Cornellio Phipps (6-0, 2 KOs) had to work for it, edging Jessie Mandapat (9-3-1, 5 KOs) via split decision in a slugfest that showed both grit and raw edges. “I should’ve used more of my jab,” Phipps admitted. “But we pulled it off.”
Knockouts, Rounds, and Lessons Learned
Angel Perez (10-0-1, 8 KOs) kicked off the televised card with a brutal first-round body-shot finish on Sachin Rohila (8-5, 2 KOs). “When I landed that body shot, I knew he was going to the floor,” Perez said, sounding like a man who meant it.
Earlier, the prelims rolled steady with Kamari Burnside, Jorge Ruiz, and Narek Hovhannisyan all staying unbeaten, mixing decisions and stoppages to warm up the room. By the end, the card felt like what small-hall boxing should: tight fights, no safe bets.
Fight Results:
- Deonte Brown def. Grimardi Machuca — Unanimous Decision (96-94, 96-94, 97-93)
- Saul Sanchez vs. Edwin Rodriguez — Majority Draw (78-74, 76-76, 76-76)
- Darian Castro def. Criztec Bazaldua — Unanimous Decision (57-56, 57-56, 58-55)
- Shakilya Ellis def. Maria Salinas — Unanimous Decision (60-54, 58-56, 59-55)
- Cornellio Phipps def. Jessie Mandapat — Split Decision (59-55, 56-58, 58-56)
- Angel Perez def. Sachin Rohila — KO1 (2:04)
- Kamari Burnside def. Obed Sepulveda — Unanimous Decision (40-36, 39-37, 39-37)
- Jorge Ruiz def. Prince Martin — KO2 (body shot)
- Narek Hovhannisyan def. Eric Howard — TKO4
- Isaiah Garcia def. Clayton Hibbert — DQ4
- Alejandro Alvarado def. Julio Tanori — Unanimous Decision
- Chantal Sumrall def. Hayley Jordan — Unanimous Decision
- Samvel Gandilian def. Brandon Sandoval — Unanimous Decision
- Sasha Saldana def. Arcana Sharma — Unanimous Decision
Honestly, I don’t get why Brown didn’t try harder for the knockout. If you that good, then finish the fight. Winning on points just don’t feel the same. Show us some real dominance! 😠
This card was too long and most the fights felt like filler. They say no filler but it felt like I was watching the same fight over and over. Needed more action.
Red Owl Boxing is trying too hard to look cool with all these ‘50/50’ fights. Sometimes it just ends up messy and not worth watching. Not every close fight means it’s good.
Right! Some of them fights felt like they just threw random people in the ring. A close score don’t mean it was quality. I want skills, not just swinging and hoping. 😑
I think Angel Perez is the only one who showed real power. Body shot put that guy down fast. That’s what fans wanna see, not all this dancing around and point scoring.
True! That body shot was brutal. We need more fighters like him who just go in and end it quick. That’s real fighting, not just hugging and jabbing.
Yup, Perez was the highlight. Everybody else was just alright but he brought that energy. More fights like his and boxing would be way more fun to watch. 💥
That Phipps fight was sloppy as hell. Both guys was just swinging wild. Split decision is fair cause neither of them looked like they had a clue what they was doing.
Man, I thought the same. Looked like a street fight more than a boxing match. If this is the future of boxing, we in trouble 😒.
Shakilya Ellis looked alright but I don’t get the hype. She fought someone with a bunch of losses. That don’t prove nothing. Let’s see her against someone who’s actually dangerous first.
Yeah, people acting like she a champ already. One win don’t mean she the best. She needs way harder fights before folks start calling her the next big thing.
Facts. One fight don’t make a legend. I seen better in the amateurs that don’t get this kind of attention. Let’s be real here.
Saul Sanchez got robbed, no way that fight was a draw. He was landing more punches and pushing the action. Judges must’ve been watching a different fight or just don’t know boxing at all.
I don’t see why everyone acting like Brown is some kind of superstar. He didn’t knock the guy out, just danced around and jabbed. That ain’t exciting boxing, that’s just playing it safe.
Exactly! People acting like he did something amazing. If you can’t finish a fight, then maybe you not as good as they say. Real champs knock people out, not just win by points. 😤