STATELINE - Two years ago, Joey Gilbert knocked out Tony Sanza in the first round of a boxing match.
Sanza got a rematch on Saturday night at Caesars Tahoe, claiming he was a different fighter.
While even Gilbert agreed that Sanza was much improved, the result wasn't much different. Gilbert, a former national champion at the University of Nevada, caught Sanza with a straight right hand just 2:14 into their super middleweight bout for his fifth knockout in as many professional fights.
Gilbert showed little ring rust despite taking nearly 18 months off since his last bout in order to finish law school and study for the bar exam. He landed combinations at will against the smaller, slower Sanza (3-11, 1), and credited his new trainer, Kenny Rayford, with improving his power.
"Kenny's really showing me the things that are important in the pro game," Gilbert said. "I'm making every punch count, and not wasting my energy."
Sacramento's Gilbert Martinez (17-6-1, 7) was outpunched, but landed enough big punches to win a split decision over Charles Hatcher (14-5, 10) in a heavyweight bout. The 37-year-old Martinez, who won a decision over Charles Shufford on Oct. 25, admitted he wasn't at his best against an opponent seven years his junior.
"He's a young man in tip-top condition, and I'm not," Martinez said. "But I've got a lot of heart and I pulled through."
In the main event, Jovo Pudar (21-1, 10) won on a TKO in the sixth round of his heavyweight fight with Derek Bryant (17-2, 14). In another heavyweight fight, David Bostice (31-7-1, 14) won a six-round decision over Sione Asipeli 17-10-2, 8).
In a women's minimumweight (105 pounds) bout, Vaia Zaganas (14-2, 6) retained her International Female Boxing Association and Women's International Boxing Association belt with a six round decision over substitute fighter Sarah Jones Goodson.