Israel Mercado defeated Mike Sanchez by unanimous decision Sunday evening at the Omega Products International in Corona, California.

Scores were 80-72, 79-73, and 77-75 for Mercado, who improves to 9-0, 7 knockouts.

The 80-72 and 79-73 scorecards did not reflect how close and competitive the fight was from the opening bell between the two unbeaten lightweights. The southpaw Sanchez, who fought to a draw against Eric Mondragon in his previous fight on June 11, was effective in spurts, especially during the middle rounds.

Mercado did land the more-telling punches, although he did get caught with a sweeping counter right hand to the head by Sanchez in round 7. Despite Sanchez being game, Mercado was the more-effective puncher throughout most of the fight.

“It feels good to come out victorious, especially against another undefeated fighter,” said Mercado, who resides in nearby Pomona. “In my last fight (on August 22), I beat (Adrian) Valdivinos, who was also unbeaten at the time. I have a long way to go but I’m headed in the right direction. Tonight, I proved to myself and my team, as well as those watching, that I can go eight full rounds. I know with hard work, I’ll become a big name in this sport.”

Mercado is trained by Southern California-based trainer Henry Ramirez.

Sanchez, who resides in Colton, California, drops to 6-1-1, 2 KOs.

The fight between Mercado and Sanchez replaced the eight-round lightweight bout between prospect Michael Dutchover and gatekeeper Manuel Mendez, who had to withdraw from the fight against Dutchover after Mendez suffered an injury through a non-boxing accident.

Welterweight Esteban Munoz defeated McArio DelCastillo (0-4) of Salem, Virginia by unanimous decision over four rounds.

All three judges scored the bout 40-36 in favor of Munoz, who goes to 3-1, 2 KOs.

Munoz, who resides in San Bernardino, was effective in outboxing DelCastillo, who attempted to mount an offense any time he could. Munoz connected with two or three-punch combinations that kept DelCastillo at bay.

In the opening bout of the ‘3.2.1. Boxing’ card, junior featherweight Lazaro Vargas knocked out Szel Martinez at 22 seconds of the opening round.

A right hand to the stomach immediately dropped Martinez to the canvas, where he remained as referee Raul Caiz, Sr. counted him out. Both fighters were making their professional debuts.

Thompson Boxing Promotions promoted the card. The next card is scheduled for December 20 and will again be streamed live on the Thompson Boxing website, along with their YouTune and Facebook pages.

Francisco A. Salazar has written for BoxingScene.com since 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (Calif.) Star newspaper. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing