ANAHEIM - Unbeaten middleweight D'Mitrius Ballard won a lackluster unanimous decision over gatekeeper Paul Valenzuela, Jr.

All three judges scored the bout 98-92 for Ballard, who goes to 21-0-1 1 ND, 11 knockouts.

Saturday night marked Ballard's first fight since December 2019, a majority-decision draw against Brazil's Yamaguchi Falcao. 

If Ballard were to blame ring-rust from not fighting in almost two years, it showed against Valenzuela, who fought to a no-contest in his last fight on July 30 against unbeaten Marcos Vazquez Rodriguez. Valenzuela entered the Ballard fight having won three of his previous four fights. 

Ballard's timing looked off during the first three rounds, but as the bout progress, he began connecting more punches to the head and body of Valenzuela. Ballard was more-effective from distance, but seemed to smother himself on the inside.

Valenzuela had his moments, but played more to the pro-Mexico crowd that assembled inside the Honda Center. Prior to the start of round 7, Valenzuela danced to music in his corner rather than sit and take instructions from his corner.

Ballard's work during the second half of the fight was methodical. The few times he did throw his jab, Ballard was able to throw and connect a right hand to the head.

Ballard did well during the final two rounds of the fight, effectively fighting from distance or throwing and connecting shorter punches on the inside. 

Valenzuela, who resides in Santa Roselia, Mexico, drops to 26-10 1 NC, 17 KOs.

Francisco A. Salazar has written for BoxingScene since September 2012 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 by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing