At The Bubble, MGM Grand, in Las Vegas, NV, Saturday Top Rank Boxing – Bob Arum brought in a pair of 10 round bouts featuring wins by Egidijus “Mean Machine” Kavaliauskas and Joet Gonzalez over ESPN+.

In the Co-Feature Featherweight Miguel “The Scorpion” Marriaga, 29-4 (25), #125 ¾, of Arjona, COL, lost to Joet Gonzalez, 24-1 (14), #125 ¾, of L.A., CA, over 10 rounds for the NABO and vacant WBO Intercontinental titles.

In the first two rounds Marriaga outworked Gonzalez in close rounds. In the third round it was close but Gonzalez bounced back well. In the fourth round Gonzalez in an all-action round seemed to outwork Marriaga as the fists were flying. In the fifth and sixth rounds it was close with Gonzalez able to back up Marriaga who doesn’t do well backing up.

In the seventh and eighth rounds it was all Gonzalez chasing Marriaga around the ring. In the ninth round Marriaga caused a cut on the right cheek of Gonzalez. In the tenth and final round Marriaga controlled the first two minutes while Gonzalez finished better.

Judges scores were 97-93 Giampa, 99-91 by Moretti and Weisfeld. This writer had it 96-94. The referee was Robert Hoyle.

“I was in with a tough guy who has been in with three title fights but tonight it was my night,” said Gonzalez.

In the Main Event 2-time Olympian Egidijuis “Mean Machine” Kavaliauskas, 22-1-1 (18), #146 1/2, of Lithuania and Oxnard, CA, stopped Mikael Zewski, 34-2 (23), #147, of Quebec, CAN, at 0:07 of the eighth round of a scheduled 10 rounds for the vacant WBC Continental Americas and WBO NABO titles.

In first two rounds Zewski used a good right hand in dominating the round. In the third round it was Kavaliauskas using a solid jab. In the fourth round Zewski landed combinations causing swelling under the right eye of Kavaliauskas. In the fifth and sixth rounds Kavaliauskas came back with an effective jab and working the body.

In the seventh round near the end of the first minute a left hook on the chin from Zewski staggered Kavaliauskas. A right uppercut from Kavaliauskas on the chin of Zewski and down he went hurt. He took a 9-count from referee Kenny Bayless. In the eighth a right followed by a left from Kavaliauskas with Zewski going down at the beginning of the round caused referee Bayless to immediately call a halt.

Zewski was up on two of the scorecards but this writer had it the other way.

“I was never hurt I felt in every round he was weakening. I think a rematch with Crawford is what I want. No one gave him the fight I did,” said Kavaliauskas.

Featherweight Aleem Jumakhonov, 9-3-2 (5), #126 1/2, of TAJ and Reseda, CA, stopped Jorge “El Gallo Giro” Ramos, 7-3-1 (4), #127, of Laredo, TX, at 2:08 in the third in a 6.

In the first round Jumakhonov outworked Ramos having him pinned against the ropes for the most part in the final round. In the second round it went back and forth with Jumakhonov having the left side of the face of Ramos reddened. In the third round a right from Jumakhonov to the forehead of Ramos caused a delayed knockdown. Ramos took the count on a knee from referee Kenny Bayliss.

Super Featherweight Anthony Chavez, 9-1 (3), #129 ¼, of San Bernadino CA, defeated Adan Gonzalez, 5-4-2 (2), #129 ¼, of Denver, CO, over 6 rounds.

In the first round after half a minute a chopping right from Gonzalez on the side of the head of Chavez dropped him to a knee for an 8-count from referee Robert Byrd later ruled caused by a head butt. In the second round it was close but Gonzalez still seemed to get the better of it. In the third round in the final minute a left hook from Chavez drove Gonzalez into the ropes bouncing to the other ropes while his right hand touched the canvas for an 8-count. Earlier Chavez had his nose bleeding while flowing into his mouth.

In the fifth round though close Gonzalez may have landed more. In the sixth and final round it was Gonzalez whose nose bled in an action final and again another close round.

Judges scores Cheatham, Moretti and Migliore 58-55 Chavez with this writer 57-56 for Gonzalez. Referee was Robert Byrd.

Bantamweight southpaw Manny “El Meny” Flores, 9-0 (6), #117 ¼, of Coachella, CA, stopped Jonathan “Torres” Rodriguez, 8-1 (3), #118, of PR and Bethlehem, PA, at 1:11 of the fifth round of a 6.

In the first round southpaw Flores controlled and landed a right to the side of the head of Rodriguez just before the bell knocking him into his own corner. In the second round Rodriguez came back well finishing very strong in the final seconds. In the third round a left uppercut from Flores on the chin followed by a right hook to the head forcing Rodriguez’s gloves to touch the canvas for an 8-coun by referee Robert Hoyld.

In the fifth round a left on the chin from Flores knocked back the head of Rodriguez who went back several steps and the referee suddenly waved off the fight that seemed premature. Rodriguez complained as he should have.

Lightweight Eric “The Beast” Puente, 4-0 (0), #137 ¾, of Vista, CA, defeated Luis Norambuena, 4-6-1 (0), #135 ¼, of Talca, Chile, over 4 rounds.

In the first round Puente boxed well plus landed combinations. In the second round Puente continued outworking Norambuena and slipping punches well. In the third round Norambuena came back well making the round very close. In the fourth and final round Puente landed uppercuts when inside and closed the fight well.

Judges scores were Giampa and Migliore 40-36, Weisfeld 39-37 as did this writer. Referee was Robert Byrd.

Ring announcer was Mark Shunock.