MERCED — Christian Palacio made his professional boxing debut on Sept. 12 in the only way he knew how to — in style.

The 25-year-old Turlock native made his ring walk inside a jam-packed Yosemite Hall at the Merced County Fairgrounds donning a shining pink robe and flanked by his trainer, Andres Anthony Mariscal, and a massive robot mascot.

Rather than being overcome with nerves as he prepared to make the biggest leap in his career, Palacio simply smiled. It turned out he had good reason to carry himself with such confidence, as he proceeded to make quick work of his opponent.

Facing off against Andres Ponce of Scottsdale, Ariz. in a 154-pound super welterweight contest scheduled for four rounds, Palacio crumbled his opponent midway through the third with a left hook to the body for the technical knockout.

“Oh, man, it was such a high,” Palacio told the Journal. “I just felt like I was on top of the world.”

Palacio had his way throughout the bout, evading the aggressive Ponce and counterpunching to the head, creating an opening to land the fateful body shot.

“I just kept hitting him to the head, and then I went for that uppercut,” Palacio explained. “As soon as I saw him put his hand up, boom, I hit him right there to the body.”

It was just the second shot to the body that Palacio attempted.

Palacio and Mariscal entered the night expecting Ponce (0-4) to be aggressive due to his background in mixed martial arts.

“Every single punch he threw were like knockout punches, turning his whole body with each punch, not trying to set up punches or anything,” Palacio said. “I didn't want to take any of those punches, and I was really proud of myself that I came out of the fight with just a little bruise on my eye. I was thinking more defensively because there were a couple shots early on that he hit me with on top of my forehead, and I felt it without my head gear for the first time. I didn’t want to get hit again like that.”

As an amateur wearing head gear, Palacio achieved a 16-6 record, with his most recent hardware coming last year with a top finish at the ​​Central Valley Gold Gloves Tournament.

Last Saturday’s bout was also Palacio’s first without his father, the late Adrian Palacio, in his corner. Adrian Palacio was the head trainer, owner and founder of Palacio Truth Boxing in West Turlock, and passed away on Jan. 24.

“He put all his life into The Truth Boxing, and he put all his life into me,” Palacio said of his father. “I wouldn't be here without him, and I hope I made him proud.”

Responded the ring announcer: “That body shot, it must have come from him.”

Again, Palacio could do little but sport a bright smile big enough to illuminate the entire event center. A celebration alongside dozens of family and friends ensued at the family gym.

“To have all those people come out to support me is amazing,” Palacio said. “It’s such a good feeling. I really want to fight again soon because I really want that feeling again.”