By Francisco Salazar

Junior welterweight Joel Diaz, Jr. made quick work of former contender Miguel Angel Huerta, stopping him in the opening round Saturday night at the Cache Creek Casino Resort in Brooks, California.

Diaz hurt Huerta with a series of left hook to the head, following up with a barrage of punches before referee Dan Stell stepped in and stopped the bout at 2:46.

Saturday night was Diaz's first fight in about 16 months, when he was dropped four times en route to a second round knockout loss to junior welterweight contender Regis Prograis.

The 26-year-old Diaz, who resides in the Los Angeles suburb of Palmdale, goes to 24-1, 20 knockouts.

Huerta, who was once a lightweight contender 10-15 years ago, drops to 28-16-1, 18 KOs. The 40-year-old Mexico City resident has lost his seven of his last eight bouts.

In a rematch between two fringe light heavyweights, Ryan Bourland of nearby Vacaville won a 10 round majority decision over Jose Hernandez.

One judge scored the bout 95-95, while the other two judges scored the bout 97-93 for Bourland, who goes to 16-2, 5 KOs. Hernandez falls to 19-5-1, 9 KOs.

In their first fight on Feb. 10, Hernandez won by majority decision over eight rounds.

Cruiserweight Blake McKernan (10-0, 6 KOs) of nearby Sacramento won a six round unanimous decision over Mexico's Alfredo Contreras.

Scores were 58-56, 58-56, and 59-55 for McKernan.

Contreras has lost 11 of his last 12 bouts and falls to 13-22-2, 5 KOs.

Junior middleweight Rudy Macedo (8-0, 7 KOs) knocked out Yasmani Pedroso (2-5, 1 KO) at 41 seconds of the second round.

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