MORONGO CASINO, CALIF.-In a junior bantamweight showdown Monica Lovato stepped into overdrive during the last four rounds of a six round bout to beat Heather Percival in a battle between world ranked female fighters on Friday at Morongo Casino.  “She was tough, but I felt I won four out of six rounds,” said Lovato (8-1, 4 KO).

The New Mexico junior bantamweight southpaw used a steady stream of left hands to keep Percival from landing too many combinations before an excited crowd in the desert area casino near Palm Springs.

“I felt I won enough rounds,” said Percival (7-3), who hit and moved throughout the fight. “I ran too much.”

Lovato gave up two rounds quickly to Percival who seemed much quicker and more elusive than the New Mexico fighter. But in the third round, Lovato increased the pressure and began landing thudding left hands every time Percival got near the ropes.

“She was a very good fighter,” said Lovato, whose nose was bloodied in the fourth round from some pinpoint combinations from the Fontana fighter who is ranked number seven in the world. “She hits hard.”

Percival was unable to move completely out of range and was hit at the end of Lovato left hands. By the fourth round, she gave up that tactic and began moving quickly to her right, but into the range of the left hand.

Though Percival often began each new round quickly, Lovato ended each round impressively and won the judges favor.

“She was moving too much,” Lovato said. “I prepared for someone who moves, but not like that. She was hard to hit. She was better than I though she was.”

Percival said she wants a rematch and welcomes it soon.

“Sure I’d love to fight her again,” Percival said.

The judges scored in 57-57, 59-55, 58-56 for a majority decision in favor of Lovato.