TIJUANA, BAJA CALIFORNIA – Former world champion turned promoter Diego “Pelucho” Morales is back giving young aspiring fighters in the border city opportunity to show their skills before their local followings beginning tomorrow night with a six-bout offering at the Salon Mutualista. Fighters weighed-in Thursday afternoon at the offices of the Comision de Box, Lucha Libre y Kickboxing de Tijuana next door to the famed Auditorio Municipal.
In the main event, local favorite Jesus “Bombardero” Valadez (5-1, 2 KOs) of Tijuana takes on determined Edgar Vazquez (4-2-1, 2 KOs) of Tijuana in a six-round light welterweight bout. Valadez, just 18-years-old, has become known for his crowd-pleasing action style. Vazquez is looking to rebound from a March stoppage loss to more experienced Miguel Zuniga. Both fighters weighed-in at 63.5 kilograms or about 140-pounds.
In a heavyweight attraction, Juan Manuel Dominguez (2-0, 1 KO) of Tijuana hopes to keep rolling against Rodrigo Ramirez (0-1) of Tijuana in a four-rounder. Dominguez, who scaled 104 kilograms (229.3-pounds), will already be fighting for the third time since turning pro in March. Ramirez, who came in at 118 kilograms (260.1-pounds), has been out of action since a second-round stoppage loss back in September of 2010.
Another active newcomer, former Tijuana amateur champion Erick Cebreros (2-0) will take on debuting Benny Guevara of Tijuana in a four-round featherweight fight. Cebreros, who turned professional only in April, scaled 57.7 kilograms (127.2-pounds). Guevara, faced with a tough assignment for his premier outing, came in at 56 kilograms (123.5-pounds).
Former U.S. amateur standout Aldwayne Simpson (1-0, 1 KO) of Richmond, California by way of Kingston, Jamaica ends a nearly three-year hiatus in a four-round light welterweight bout against Miguel Nava (0-3) of Tijuana. Simpson scaled 64.8 kilograms (142.9 pounds). Nava, never in an easy fight, was not present at Thursday’s weigh-in and will take to the scales Friday morning. Simpson recently wrapped up a training stint alongside former world champion Robert Guerrero.
Ciro Arrellanos (1-0) of Mexico City, Distrito Federal meets Tijuana’s debuting Martin Gomez in a four-round light welterweight fight. Arrellanos, one of three fighters on the card out of the Ray Solis Boxing Gym, scaled 64 kilograms (141.1-pounds). Gomez, fighting out of the Torito Gym, weighed-in at 64 kilograms as well.
Two fighters looking for their first win square off as Pedro Garcia (0-2) of Tijuana takes on Luis Contreras (0-2) in a four-round lightweight fight. Garcia, of the Chavez Gym, scaled 61 kilograms (134.5-pounds). Contreras, of the Xico Gym, came in at 61.4 kilograms (135.7-pounds).
Tickets for the event, promoted by Promociones PM, are available at the Perro Salado Billiards Hall, the offices of Box Latino and Hollywood Beauty Supply.
Quick Weigh-in Results (in pounds):
Light Welterweights, 6 Rounds
Vazquez 140
Valadez 140
Heavyweights, 4 Rounds
Dominguez 229.3
Ramirez 260.1
Featherweights, 4 Rounds
Cebreros 127.2
Guevara 123.5
Light Welterweights, 4 Rounds
Simpson 142.9
Nava*
Light Welterweights, 4 Rounds
Arrellanos 141.1
Gomez 141.1
Lightweights, 4 Rounds
Garcia 134.5
Contreras 135.7
*will weigh-in Friday morning
Mario Ortega Jr. can be contacted at ortega15rds@lycos.com.
