SAN DIEGO – Marc Castro was forced to climb off the canvas and go to the scorecards to preserve his unblemished record.

Fresno’s Castro overcame a second-round knockdown to outpoint Mexico City’s Julio Madera over six rounds. Judges Chris Migliore (58-55), David Solivan (58-55) and Fernando Villarreal (58-55) all scored in favor of Castro, who was also extended the distance for the first time as a pro in their lightweight bout Saturday evening at Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California.

Madera (3-2, 2KOs) was not at all fazed by the lofty credentials of Castro, a seventeen-time national amateur champion who is managed by high-powered Keith Connolly. The opening round featured several exchanges, normally in Castro’s wheelhouse though whose power wasn’t as impactful in the early rounds.

Castro was forced to recover from the first knockdown of his young career. A counter left hook by Madera dropped the unbeaten Fresno native midway through round two. Castro beat the count and stood toe-to-toe with Madera for the rest of the round, matching the tempo of the furiously paced opening round.

The knockdown served as a wake-up call for Castro, who controlled the action for the rest of the night. Madera continued to fight from close range but was never able to replicate his early success. Castro consistently landed his right hand over Madera’s left, while employing head movement and swift footwork to avoid most of the incoming.

Madera attempted one last gasp in the sixth and final round, though Castro proved an elusive target without turning the fight into a track meet.

Castro advances to 6-0 (5KOs), both fighting past the fourth round and going the distance for the first time.

Castro-Madera aired live on DAZN’s ‘Before The Bell’ series, preceding the main card on DAZN. In the evening’s main event, former four-division champion Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez (50-3, 41KOs) faces WBC flyweight titlist Julio Cesar ‘El Rey’ Martinez (18-1, 14KOs; 2ND) whose title is not at stake.

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox