Walsh Tries for Fresh Start at Irvine Fights

IRVINE —  La Mirada junior welterweight Michael Walsh will try to rebound from his second professional loss when he appears tonight in the eight-round main event at the Irvine Marriott.

Walsh, who lost a 10-round split-decision to Campo’s Russell Mosley in November, is fighting South Gate’s Hector Pena (16-4-1 with 11 knockouts).

Pena is a former kick boxer who has held two state amateur titles and has four knockouts in his last five victories. Walsh (16-2-3) was cut above his eye early in his fight with Mosely, a stablemate of world junior welterweight champion Terry Norris.

In the semi-main event, Glendale superflyweight Chino Garcia (7-0 with four knockouts) faces Ignacio O’Campo (6-2 with four knockouts) of Morelos, Mexico. On the undercard, Los Angeles middleweight Lionel Ortiz (12-4 with three knockouts) faces Canoga Park’s Don Goodwin (5-5 with four knockouts) in a six-rounder and Huntington Beach middleweight Steve Hurley (3-1-1 with two knockouts) faces Diamond Bar’s Lloyd Weaver (8-2 with five knockouts).

The show’s only heavyweight bout features Joe Powder (2-0 with one knockout) of Bosnia-Herzegovina against John Paul of Las Vegas, making his pro debut.

Tickets for the 7:30 show are priced at $35, $30 and $25.