In a rugged crossroads encounter featuring proud gatekeepers, Mauricio Herrera edged Jesus Sotto-Karass by majority decision from Fantasy Springs Casino to highlight Golden Boy on ESPN action.

Herrera's win sustains the 37-year-old's bid for perhaps one final grab at in-ring relevancy. Meanwhile, after traversing a well-tread 16-year professional path, including victories against Andre Berto and Selcuk Aydin, Jesus Sotto-Karass likely becomes quality litmus fodder for aspiring talent.

While each fighter flashed prime glimpses during an intriguing clash of styles, Herrera’s (24-7) ring generalship edged Sotto-Karass’ (28-12-4) come-forward aggression as both shed their perspiration and boxing-souls onto the canvass.

As the night concluded, amid a roaring audience, punch stats and final scores of 96-94, 96-94, and 95-95 tilted slightly in “El Maestro’s” favor. Though, the Riverside native will exit this pyrrhic encounter with a souvenir ninth-round eye gash courtesy of his relentless 34-year-old foe.

Herrera is now 4-3 since being on the wrong end of a heart-rending decision vs. then 140 lb champion Danny Garcia.

During undercard action, Vyacheslav Shabranskyy (19-1 16 KO) surgically dismantled formerly unbeaten prospect, Todd Unthank-May (10-1-1) to earn a WBC trinket.

The contest's end followed the seventh round as a battered Unthank-May was retired on his stool.

After thwarting his 28-year-old challenger’s next-level ambitions, Shabranskyy, 30, adds leverage while moving ahead in the light heavyweight division.

Rounding out the evening’s televised card, Niko Valdes (6-0) received a stern test from gritty opponent Jaime Solorio (10-2-2).

While the judge’s scores read 60-54 59-55 59-55 in Valdes’ favor, a chorus of uniform boos met the final tally.

Nonetheless, Valdes continued his on-job training and remains among the junior middleweight division’s undefeated prospects.

Earlier results include: