By Francisco Salazar

In an upset on paper, Jeremy Ramos defeated fringe junior middleweight contender Neeco Macias by split decision Saturday night at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California.

The fight was Macias’ first since a majority decision loss to gatekeeper Jesus Soto Karass on Nov. 8, which also took place in Indio.

Macias, known for the high volume of punches he throws, was the aggressor during the first half of the fight, but threw in spurts during the last three rounds of the fight.

One judge scored the bout 77-75 for Macias, while the other two judges scored the bout 78-74 and 77-75 for Ramos, who improves to 11-6, 4 knockouts. Ramos, who is originally from Puerto Rico and now resides in Colorado Springs, Colorado, entered the Macias fight having lost five of his previous six bouts.

Macias, from nearby Palm Desert, drops to 17-2, 14 KOs.

Junior welterweights Herbert Acevedo and Alfonso Olvera of Tucson, Arizona fought to a split-decision draw over eight rounds.

Each fighter won 77-75 on a judge’s scorecard, but the third judge scored the bout 76-76.

Acevedo, who is originally from Garden City, Kansas and now resides in the Los Angeles area, goes to 15-2-1, 6 KOs. Olvera goes to 11-5-2, 4 KOs.

Both fights took place after the Golden Boy Promotions main event between Ryan Garcia and Jose Lopez, which Garcia won by knockout after the second round.

Francisco A. Salazar has written for Boxingscene.com 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