Super middleweight Manuel Gallegos won a hard-fought unanimous decision over Kevin Newman II Thursday night at the Auditorio Benito Juarez in Gallegos’ hometown of Los Mochis, Mexico.

Scores were 96-94, 96-92, and 97-91 for Gallegos, who improves to 18-1, 15 knockouts.

Both fighters went at each other from the opening bell, mostly standing in the pocket and connecting with combinations to the head and body. Each fighter had their moments, but it was Gallegos who was the more-effective fighter.

Newman was deducted a point in round 6 after hitting Gallegos in the back of the head. Later in the round, Newman hurt Gallegos, battering him against the ropes, but was not able to score a knockdown as the bell sounded to end the round.

In an odd occurrence in round 8, Newman was deducted another point, this time for holding onto the top ring rope. Sensing Newman was down in the fight, trainer Roy Jones, Jr. implored Newman to go for the knockout during the final two rounds.

Newman, who resides in Las Vegas, Nevada, drops to 11-3-1, 6 KOs. The 29-year-old has now lost his last two fights after winning his previous four.

In the co-feature, featherweight Pablo Robles (15-2, 10 KOs), who resides in Tijuana, Mexico, stopped Alan Solis in round 3. 

Robles broke down the previously-unbeaten Solis from the opening round. Robles’ power began taking its toll on in round 3, as his power punches slowed Solis down. Midway through the round, Robles dropped Solis hard to the canvas. Solis beat the count, fought back bravely, but Robles’ attack forced the referee to step in and stop the bout at 2:39.

Solis, who resides in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, falls to 13-1-1, 7 KOs.

In a clash of lightweights who resides in Mexico, lightweight prospect Luis Torres, a 19-year-old southpaw from Ciudad Obregon, defeated Monterrey’s Diego Eligio (20-6-1, 8 KOs) by unanimous decision. 

Scores were 99-91, 99-91, and 98-92 for Torres, who resides in 12-0, 8 KOs.

In the opening bout of the UFC Fight Pass stream, junior lightweight Nazario Castro of Guamuchil, Mexico improved to 6-2, 3 KOs by defeating Ciudad Obregon’s Ricardo Bracamontes (6-1, 3 KOs) by unanimous decision. Scores were 59-55, 59-55, and 58-56 for Castro.

Francisco A. Salazar has written for BoxingScene since September of 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.