Quezada Wins Shutout; Ready for the Next Level

By Mario Ortega Jr. (ringside)

On Thursday night at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, California, Manuel Quezada cruised to a ten-round unanimous decision win over Andrew Greeley to successfully defend his WBC CABOFE Heavyweight title. Quezada’s win capped an entertaining eight-bout card promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions, which also featured four additional mixed martial arts matches.

Quezada (24-4, 15 KOs) of Wasco, California kept Greeley’s back to the ropes for the majority of the bout. Greeley (14-23-2, 8 KOs) of Monroe, Louisiana, seemed content to fight in short bursts, finding some success when he was active. However, Quezada, 222, controlled the ring and was by far the busier and more active puncher. Greeley, 230, hung tough, but gave himself little chance to win with his inactivity. Both fighters traded heavy shots to close the fight, much to the delight of the onlookers. All three judges scored the bout a shutout victory for Quezada, 100-90.

With the win, Quezada appears ready to challenge some of the bigger names in the heavyweight division. “I respect anybody that gets into that ring, but I want to fight some name fighters,” said Quezada. “I’ll take anybody. I want these up and coming fighters. [I’d like to fight] Derric Rossy, Teke Oruh, Alonzo Butler, Chazz Witherspoon or whoever,” said Quezada when pressed for some names.

WBC Minimumweight Carina Moreno (19-1, 5 KOs) of Watsonville, California outclassed Yahaira Martinez (7-3, 4 KOs) of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico over one-sided ten rounds. Moreno, 104.4, set the tone early in the bout, taking the fight to Martinez.
Martinez, 107.8, never got into a rhythm and was kept off balance by Moreno consistent attack. Moreno jarred Martinez late in the fifth with a right hook, but was unable to put her down. Two judges scored the bout a shutout for Moreno, 100-90, with the third turning in a 97-93 verdict.

The bout was originally planned to be for Moreno’s WBC and the vacant WIBA Minimumweight title. However, Martinez came in overweight and was not interested in attempting to get down to the 105-pound limit. “I was really disappointed. She knew what the weight was months ago,” said Moreno. “I feel she really didn’t want to or try to make the weight. I saw her on Tuesday and Wednesday morning walking on the treadmill. You aren’t going to lose weight walking.” Moreno will likely return to the ring October 23rd at the Tachi Palace.

Mike Dallas Jr. (5-0, 1 KO) of Bakersfield, California made short work of James Helmes (6-2, 2 KOs) of Cincinnati, Ohio, dispatching him just 1:45 into the first round.
Dallas, 140.2, put full force behind a right hook that dropped Helmes, 141.4, hard to the canvas. The referee stopped the bout without need for a count. Dallas may get back into the ring as soon as September 11th at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California.

Dominga Olivo (7-4-1) of Monticello, New York upset the plans of former amateur star Ana Julaton (4-1-1, 1 KO) of Daly City, California, scoring an eight-round split decision to claim the vacant WBC International Super Bantamweight title. Julaton, 121.2, got off to a great start, flashing her superior boxing skills and landing the cleaner punches. Olivo, 120, threw wide and looping punches, but they did have an effect on Julaton when they landed. By the middle of the fight, Olivo had seized control of the bout, landing the more eye-catching blows.

Julaton got back into the fight in rounds six and seven, as she upped her output and utilized excellent footwork. With the fight likely on the table, both fighters came out strong for the eighth. With a sudden resurgence in her energy level, Olivo likely pulled out the fight by taking the last round. Scores read 79-73 and 77-75 for Olivo, with one 77-75 score for Julaton.

After the fight, Julaton and her team expressed interest in a quick rematch with Olivo. “I’m not complaining about the decision, but I would like to get that one, one more time,” said Julaton trainer Freddie Roach. “If we got a little busier out there we could have pulled out the fight.” Julaton also looks forward to the chance to get back in the ring with Olivo. “I feel confident. I feel if I can go into the gym and make those adjustments I will do well,” said Julaton.

Dewey Cooper (17-1-3, 10 KOs) of Las Vegas, Nevada scored an uneventful ten-round decision over Galen Brown (30-9-1, 19 KOs) of St. Joseph, Missouri. Cooper, 195, appeared to have all the physical and technical advantages, but never really pressed the issue with his opponent. Brown, 202.6, focused more of his energy on clowning around than trying to win a boxing match. All three judges scored the bout for Cooper, 99-91.

U.S. Olympic Trials finalist Aaron Alafa (2-0, 1KO) of Visalia, California quickly demolished debuting Greg McDowell (0-1) of Cambria, California, scoring a knockout 19 seconds into the fight. Alafa, 118, ended the fight dropped McDowell, 117.4, with the first 1-2 combination he landed. The referee quickly called off the contest without a count.

Hard-punching super middleweight prospect Joaquin Marquez (4-0-1, 3 KOs) of Madera, California scored an impressive four-round majority decision over Loren Myers (6-4, 2 KOs) of Fresno, California. Marquez, 160.6, proved to be the harder puncher from the outset. Myers, 165, was rocked late in the second by a solid uppercut, but closed the round by showboating with his hands down. After letting off the gas in the in the third, Marquez came out strong in the fourth. Myers was rocked late in the round, and closed the fight in full retreat. Marquez took two cards, 40-36 and 39-37. The lone dissenting judge had the curious score of 38-38. Marquez will return to the ring on October 23rd at the Tachi Palace.

Carlos Horatio Nevarez (14-16-1, 5 KOs) of Ft. Collins, Colorado scored a six-round majority decision win over James Ventry (6-5-1, 4 KOs) of Niagara Falls, New York in a light welterweight fight. Nevarez, 142.8, was the busier fighter throughout and seemed to control the early rounds. Ventry, 140.2, made the fight close, as the two traded on even ground for much of the last couple of rounds. Nevarez won by scores of 58-56 twice, with one judge having it even 57-57.

In mixed martial arts action, Shawn Bias (13-6) of Oroville, California scored a first round submission win over Marcus Blood (2-4) of Sacramento, California. Tito Jones (5-2) of Sacramento scored a second round stoppage of Hussein Rousali (0-1) of Sacramento. Lavar Johnson (8-3) of Fresno, California scored a first round stoppage of Sal Farnetti (3-2) of Bakersfield, California. In the final bout of the evening, Rocky Molina (9-2) of Visalia, California won a three-round decision over James Rodriguez (1-1) of Oakhurst, California.

Boxing returns to the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino on October 23rd.

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortega15rds@lycos.com