HIGHLAND, CA. - Junior bantamweights Heather Percival and Tonia Cravens battled for six rounds and it could have gone more on Thursday night.

At San Manuel Casino, Percival used his height, reach and boxing knowledge to score a unanimous decision over New Mexico’s Cravens who looked hell-bent on destroying anyone in front of her.

“I knew she was an aggressive fighter,” said Percival (8-2) of Fontana, a small town located about 12 miles west from the casino. “She threw a lot of punches and some of them landed, but I felt I landed the cleaner more effective punches.”

Cravens had fought a month ago against another Southern California named Kaliesha West. In that fight, both slugged it out in the middle of the ring.

“I felt I may have lost the fight against Kaliesha West,” said Cravens (2-3-1). “But I landed better punches against Heather. She just ran.”

From the first bell Cravens came out swinging without a care about defense or Percival’s power. Most of the first round Percival leaned against the ropes and attempted to block most of the incoming blows. More than a few penetrated her guard.

“I landed a lot of right hands,” Cravens said.

The next round Percival began to jab and move. Whenever Cravens got too close, Percival would grab her and spin her around while landing some stinging counter shots. That was the Fontana fighter’s formula for success the rest of the fight.

“She landed once or twice, but not much more,” said Percival who suffered a cut on the left eye during the last 30 seconds of the fight from an accidental clash of heads. “I boxed her. That was my plan going in.”

Percival had been looking for a fight ever since losing against Teri Cruz for the junior bantamweight world title last year.

“We saw Heather fight Teri Cruz, that’s why we took this fight,” said Rocky Stapleton, who trains Cravens.

Percival, who is ranked in the top 10 of the junior bantamweight division, had also seen Cravens before.

“When she fought Kaliesha she never stopped punching,” Percival said. “That’s what I expected and that’s what she did against me. But she seemed a little more aggressive. She’s a good fighter.”

Cravens said she wants a rematch against Percival.

“I definitely want to fight her again,” Cravens said. “The people thought I won.”

Many fans in the audience booed the decision when the judges scored it 58-56, 59-55, 60-54 for Percival.

“There’s always going to be fans who come here and drink a lot of beer and want to see a brawl. That’s not me, I’m a boxer.”

Percival’s manager and trainer Larry Ramirez said that she cannot fight for 60 days because of the cut she suffered in the last 30 seconds of the fight.