By Francisco Salazar

ONTARIO - Isaac Zarate pulled off the upset win Friday night, defeating former bantamweight world title challenger Carlos Carlson by unanimous decision.

With the win, Zarate improves to 13-3-2, with 2 KOs. Carlson falls to 22-3, with 12 KOs.

The southpaw Zarate dropped Carlson with a short right hook to the head in the second round. Midway through the third round, Carlson stunned Zarate with a hard right hand to the head.

Both fighters had their moments during the middle rounds, but Zarate was the busier and more-effective fighter during the last three rounds. Carlson looked lethargic during this stage of the fight, most likely from the added weight from his last fight to tonight (5.5 pounds).

It was Zarate's night though, snapping a three-bout winless streak in a do-or-die fight.

All three judges scored the bout 78-73 in favor of Zarate.

Bantamweight Christian Ayala won an eight round unanimous decision over veteran Pedro Melo. Ayala (12-1, with 4 KOs) was the aggressor throughout the fight, beating Melo (17-15-2, with 8 KOs) to the punch during most exchanges. Ayala was deducted a point by referee Raul Caiz, Sr. in round seven for landing a low blow on Melo. All three judges scored the bout 79-72 in favor of Ayala. 

Featherweight Roberto Meza won a four round split decision over Juan Sandoval. Meza's lack of competitive opposition did not prepare him for the veteran tactics of Sandoval, who counted effectively with overhand right hands to the head. Meza (8-0, with 4 KOs) likely received the nod on the scorecards because of his higher punch output. One judge scored the bout 39-37 for Sandoval (7-18-1, with 4 KOs), while the other two judges scored the bout 39-37 for Meza.

Junior featherweight Mario Hernandez dropped Larry Kloak en route to a hard-fought unanimous decision victory. Hernandez consistently landed right hands to the head of the southpaw Kloak during the first two rounds of the fight.

Hernandez dropped Kloak with a left hook to the head near the end of round three. Both fighters had their moments in the final round, including a few counter left hooks Kloak landed flush to the chin of Hernandez. All three judges scored the bout 39-36 in favor of Hernandez, who improves to 3-0. Kloak was making his pro debut.

Bantamweight Daniel Guzman (1-1) won a four round unanimous decision over Giovanni Noriega, who was making his pro debut. The taller and stronger Guzman landed the more-telling blows throughout the fight. All three judges scored the bout 40-36 in favor of Guzman.

Junior welterweight Wesley Diana won his pro debut, knocking out Carlos Apodaca in the opening round. Diana, who is trained by Fernando Vargas, dropped Apodaca (0-5) with a left hook to the body. Diana remained on one knee as referee Raul Caiz, Sr. counted Apodaca out at 1:04.