JAMESTOWN, CALIFORNIA – Lightweight contender Gabriel Flores Jr. scored two knockdowns, but was taken to the limit by hard-charging Jose Arellano, despite wide official scores, en route to a ten-round unanimous decision in the ProBox TV main event from the Chicken Ranch Casino Resort. 

Flores (26-2, 8 KOs) of Stockton, California was the first to strike, scoring the first official knockdown of the bout in the early moments when a left counter forced Arellano (11-3, 6 KOs) Aurora, Colorado by way of Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico into the ropes. With Arellano gripping a stand to stay vertical, referee Michael Margado correctly ruled the knockdown. 

Arellano, 133.4, was more caught off balance and quickly made his presence known in the fight. Flores, 134.8, always the classy boxer, attempted to use his superior jab to keep the Colorado native at range, but Arellano was undeterred and found his way inside for much of the middle round action. 

With the fight that had the feel of one slipping away from the Stockton native, Flores, the WBO #10/WBA #12 ranked lightweight, found his distance in round six and was able to use his jab to better effect. Arellano still landed some clean power shots as the fight progressed into the later rounds as he continually pressed the action. 

Flores found a rhythm again early in round nine and would score a second knockdown to start round ten. Flores’ counter downed the forward-moving Arellano in a moment that felt more significant before the final cards would be read. Flores closed the fight strong, but ultimately did not require either knockdown to win over the judges. 

Judge Michael Rinaldi scored the bout 99-89, judge Dan Stell scored it 98-90 and judge Brian Tsukamoto had it the closest, 95-93. With the victory, Flores retained his WBA Continental USA lightweight title and remains viable in the 135-pound division. 

In the co-main event, Emiliano Moreno (12-0, 7 KOs) of Long Beach, California overcame a slow start to score a seventh-round stoppage of Cesar Francis (13-3, 8 KOs) of West New York, New Jersey. 

Moreno, 149.6, started methodically, but picked up the pace as the fight went along. Francis, 146.6, boxed well in the early rounds, pressing the action and setting the pace. 

Moreno was careful in his punch selection early, but landed the cleaner, harder shots when he found the opening. 

Francis began to show signs of wilting in the sixth as his output dipped considerably. Moreno broke through in the seventh, landing combinations upstairs. Francis buckled as a result, but regained his footing enough to find the corner. Before Moreno moved in to follow-up, referee Dan Stell moved in to stop the fight, receiving a mild protest from Francis, who was ahead on the cards at the time of the stoppage. Official time came at 2:44 of the seventh round. 

Anthony Cuba (9-1-2, 4 KOs) of Fontana, California overcame a knockdown to score an eight-round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten DeMichael Harris (12-1-1, 11 KOs) of Smyrna, Georgia. 

Cuba, 137, was the aggressor throughout as Harris, 134.2, spent too much time on the ropes. By the sixth, Cuba was distancing himself on the cards with solid power shots. 

Harris had a moment early in the eighth, landing a tomahawk right that dropped Cuba in an exchange. The knockdown came too late, as Cuba regained his footing and claimed the wide unanimous verdict. 

Judge Michael Margado scored it 78-73, while judges Michael Rinaldi and Brian Tsukamoto had it a round closer, 77-74, all for Cuba. 

Kevin Soltero (4-0, 2 KOs) of Kansas City, Missouri sprung an upset over previously unbeaten Andrew Rodriguez (5-1, 1 KO) of Salinas, California via six-round majority decision. 

Rodriguez, 116.4, had to battle with a cut suffered from a headbutt in the second round., but closed that same act with some solid body work. Soltero, 116.6, applied relentless pressure in the third round, as Rodriguez looked to circle and box. 

The Kansas City native was finding a home for his right in the middle rounds and had a strong fourth as the blood seemed to bother Rodriguez. The final two rounds featured excellent two-way action, but it was ultimately Soltero that won over the judges. Judge Dan Stell scored the bout even, 57-57, but was overruled by judge Brian Tsukamoto, 58-56, and judge Mike Rinaldi, 60-54. 

Jennah Creason (2-0-1) of Visalia, California and Samantha Ginithan (1-0-1, 1 KO) of Las Cruces, New Mexico battled it out to a four-round majority draw. 

Ginithan, 140.2, and Creason, 139, both had their moments in a fight fought at close quarters for the eight scheduled minutes. With neither making a clear case, judges Michael Rinaldi and David Hartman both scored the bout even, 38-38. Judge Brian Tsukamoto turned in a dissenting card for Ginithan, 39-37. 

In the walk-out bout, Antonio Mireles (9-0-1, 7 KOs) of Des Moines, Iowa took an eight-round shutout decision over much shorter Josue Vargas (5-10-2, 2 KOs) of Panorama City, California. 

Vargas, 244, was able to make it a mauling, inside fight from the early going. When Mireles, 274, had daylight to punch, he was successful landing in combination. Mireles did not follow his corner’s repeated instructions to turn Vargas and get his back away from the ropes or create distance, but ultimately did enough to win every round, claiming all three cards, 80-72. 

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortegajr.mario@gmail.com

Highly-regarded super middleweight Diego Pacheco meets fellow unbeaten Steven Nelson at the Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas in the headlining bout of the second leg of a two-continent DAZN broadcast on Saturday night. While two regional titles are at stake, the true prize for the winner of the twelve-rounder could be a bout against one of the major players at 168-pounds. Fighters weighed-in on Friday afternoon at the OPM Theater, one floor down from the host venue.

Pacheco (22-0, 18 KOs) of Los Angeles, California has gradually moved to the precipice of landing the marque bout he has vocally demanded during fight week. In his last time out, Pacheco impressively halted veteran Maciej Sulecki in the sixth with a perfectly-placed bodyshot. Sulecki, albeit naturally smaller and now older, had previously lasted the distance against Demetrius Andrade and Daniel Jacobs in his only two prior defeats.

The 36-year-old U.S. Army veteran Nelson (20-0, 16 KOs) of Omaha, Nebraska has moved along at a different pace and to less fanfare than his 23-year-old counterpart. Nelson’s resume does not have a Sulecki type to be found, as Pacheco marks the veteran’s first major headline opportunity. In his last bout, Nelson dropped previously undefeated Marcos Vazquez three times en route to a fifth-round stoppage, deep down on the undercard of Terence Crawford’s victory over Ismail Madrimov in Los Angeles last August.

Pacheco, the WBO #1/WBC #3/IBF #6 ranked super middleweight, is only one fight away from a bout with Canelo Alvarez, according to recent remarks by his promoter, Eddie Hearn. Pacheco is trained by Jose Benavidez Sr., no stranger to leading a 168-pounder to the doorstep of such a bout, as David Benavidez was in that same position not long ago. Benavidez Sr.’s first journey towards Canelo has thus proven fruitless and it remains to be seen where on the scale Alvarez will appear next.

Nelson, the WBO #9 ranked super middleweight, must look at his opportunity against Pacheco as his Canelo fight. The Nebraska native has developed quietly, in the shadows of Crawford, fighting mainly on his undercards in recent years. With a win over Pacheco, who defends the regional USWBC and WBO International titles on Saturday, Nelson would put himself in prime position to attract one of the big names at 168-pounds.

Pacheco made 166.4-pounds on Friday, while Nelson hit the super middleweight limit of 168. The public weigh-in ceremony got heated during the face-off, as a jawing back-and-forth turned into some shoving before camps went their seperate ways.

In the leading supporting bout, WBA #4/IBF#5/WBC #6/WBO #15 ranked lightweight Andy Cruz (4-0, 2 KOs) of Miami, Florida by way of Matanzas, Matanzas, Cuba defends the regional IBF International lightweight title against WBA #12 ranked Omar Salcido (20-1, 14 KOs) of Lakeside, California by way of Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico in a ten-round bout.

Cruz, previously one of the most accomplished amateurs of all-time, appears to be on the fast-track towards a world title opportunity. Cruz has referred to himself as Keyshawn Davis’ daddy in the lead-up to Saturday’s bout, a nod to his four amateur victories over the fellow lightweight contender. While Davis will vie for a world title in February, Cruz will be defending the regional title he won in his pro debut for the fourth time. However, the 2020 Cuban Olympic gold medalist cannot afford to look past the veteran Salcido, who enters the bout fresh off of his signature victory to date, a ninth-round stoppage of Chris Colbert this past October.

For the bout, which will also see the WBA Continental Latin Americas title on the line, Cruz and Salcido scaled an identical 134.8-pounds each.

Junior welterweight prospect Ernesto Mercado (16-0, 15 KOs) of Pomona, California looks to march towards to bonafide contender status as he moves up in class against former two-division world champion Jose Pedraza (29-6-2, 14 KOs) of Cidra, Puerto Rico in a ten-round bout. Mercado, 142.4 at Friday’s weigh-in and recently signed to Matchroom Boxing, will be making his Las Vegas debut against a fighter in Pedraza, 143, that has fought a who’s who list from all over the world.

Junior welterweight prospect Leonardo Rubalcava (9-0, 3 KOs) of Jurupa Valley, California by way of Teocaltiche, Jalisco, Mexico takes on Israel Mercado (11-1, 7 KOs) of Montclair, California in an eight-round bout. Rubalcava, making his Las Vegas debut, scaled 141-pounds, as did Mercado, fighting in Vegas for the second straight occasion.

Former amateur standout Harley Mederos (7-0, 6 KOs) of Brooklyn, New York will meet Arturo de Isla (5-2-1, 4 KOs) of Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico in a six-round lightweight bout. Mederos, who capped a well decorated amateur run as U.S. National champion in 2020, scaled 134.4-pounds, while de Isla made 135.6.

2024 Indian Olympic bronze medalist Nishant Dev of Woodland, California by way of Karnal, India will make his professional debut against Alton Wiggins (1-0-1) of Modesto, California in a six-round junior middleweight bout. Dev came in at 155.8-pounds, while Wiggins tipped 156.4.

19-year-old former amateur standout Zaquin Moses (1-0) of Newark, New Jersey will take on replacement opponent Mario Garcia (3-0, 3 KOs) of Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico in a four-round super featherweight bout. Moses was 130.4, giving up seven pounds to make the fight, with the short-notice Garcia at 137.4-pounds Friday.

For those watching from home, the DAZN marathon boxing broadcast begins with Dalton Smith’s junior welterweight headliner against Walid Ouizza from Nottingham, England, with coverage beginning at 12:15 EST. Coverage from Las Vegas begins at 5:45 EST.

Quick Weigh-in Results:

USWBC Super Middleweight Championship

WBO International Super Middleweight Championship, 12 Rounds

Pacheco 166.4

Nelson 168

WBA Continental Latin Americas Championship

IBF International Lightweight Championship, 10 Rounds

Cruz 134.8

Salcido 134.8

Light welterweights, 10 Rounds

Mercado 142.4

Pedraza 143

Light welterweights, 8 Rounds

Rubalcava 141

Mercado 141

Lightweights, 6 Rounds

Mederos 134.4

de Isla 135.6

Light middleweights, 6 Rounds

Dev 155.8

Wiggins 156.4

Super featherweights, 4 Rounds

Moses 130.4

Garcia 137.4

Tickets for the event, promoted by Matchroom Boxing, are available online at Ticketmaster.com

Photos by Melina Pizano/Matchroom

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortegajr.mario@gmail.com

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – Undefeated 23-year-old super middleweight contender Diego Pacheco turned back the challenge of Steven Nelson, scoring a twelve-round unanimous decision at the Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas in the main event of a multi-continent DAZN broadcast on Saturday night.

Attempting to stamp his position as the next in line at 168-pounds, Pacheco (23-0, 18 KOs) of Los Angeles, California opted to fight a previously undefeated fighter others have apparently avoided for good reason in Nelson (20-1, 16 KOs) of Omaha, Nebraska.

After a feeling out first round, Pacheco, 166.4, and Nelson, 168, opened up a bit more at the close of the second round. After Pacheco found a home for a few stiff jabs, Nelson landed clean just before the bell in retort.

Pacheco, the WBO #1/WBC #3/IBF #6 ranked contender, continued to rely on his jab in the third, but it was Nelson, the WBO #9 ranked super middleweight, who was busier and found a home for a couple power shots late in the stanza.

Just as Nelson was having a fairly successful fourth, outworking Pacheco, the pride of South Central Los Angeles timed the overhand right he had been looking to land and busted up the former Army veteran with his counter.

With the left side of his face turning into a crimson mask, Nelson was less apt to engage in the fifth. Pacheco began walking down the Nebraskan native, just missing the mark at times with potential night-enders.

Pacheco opened up more to close the fifth and kept up the output through the sixth and seventh, when the action really heated up. Pacheco still looked to time the perfect shot in the eighth, just missing the mark on a couple occasions.

After a tenth in which both combatants had their moments, Nelson came out with renewed vigor in the eleventh, landing clean with power punches with both hands. Even when Pacheco timed a couple well-placed uppercuts, Nelson was undeterred in his forward attack.

In the twelfth, Nelson maintained the pressure, snapping Pacheco’s head back on several occasions. Even when Pacheco landed, Nelson was hell-bent on maintaining his forward attack.

All three judges, Tim Cheatham, Max DeLuca and David Sutherland, scored the bout 117-111 for Pacheco, who holds onto his USWBC and WBO International super middleweight titles and place near the top of the rankings.

While he gave a great technical performance against a solid, previously undefeated fighter, Saturday’s win may not have been the type to create a public outcry for the money man in the division, Canelo Alvarez, to sign on for a bout with Pacheco just yet.

In the co-featured bout, lightweight contender Andy Cruz (5-0, 2 KOs) of Miami, Florida by way of Matanzas, Matanzas, Cuba passed the stiffest test of his pro career to date, pounding out a ten-round unanimous decision over a game Omar Salcido (20-2, 14 KOs) of Lakeside, California by way of Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico.

Cruz, 134.8, had more gears and dimensions than did his Mexican counterpart, Salcido, 134.8. Cruz seemed content to utilize the boxing skills that made him one of the most decorated amateurs of recent years through the first nine rounds. The WBA #4/IBF#5/WBC #6/WBO #15 ranked lightweight Cruz attempted to close the show in style in the final round, but the WBA #12 ranked Salcido hung tough and held his own through the ten rounds.

In the end, Cruz outboxed Salcido by scores of 99-91 (judge Chris Migliore) and 98-92 (judges Dave Moretti and Zachary Young) twice, taking home two regional titles: the WBA Continental Latin Americas and IBF International lightweight belts.

Undefeated junior welterweight Ernesto Mercado (17-0, 16 KOs) of Pomona, California stamped himself a contender with a fourth-round kayo over former world champion Jose Pedraza (29-7-2, 14 KOs) of Cidra, Puerto Rico.

Mercado, 142.4, was the naturally larger fighter in the bout and utilized that size advantage to great effect. In the end, it looked as though the knockout blow to Pedraza, 143, may have strayed to the back of the head. However, referee Robert Hoyle opted to count and then wave off the bout when Pedraza did not appear to be in any condition to continue. Official time of the stoppage was 2:08 of round four.

After the bout, the still unbeaten fighter called out Shakur Stevenson, “I want that punk right there,” said Mercado, pointing towards the three-division champion, who was less-than-thrilled to hear his name being called.

Leonardo Rubalcava (9-0-1, 3 KOs) of Jurupa Valley, California by way of Teocaltiche, Jalisco, Mexico narrowly escaped with his unbeaten record intact, fighting to an eight-round majority draw in his bout against a determined Israel Mercado (11-1-1, 7 KOs) of Montclair, California.

Mercado, 141, controlled almost all of the first, before Rubalcava, 141, landed one right that should have scored an official knockdown immediately. Referee Allen Huggins dusted the gloves of Mercado and let the action resume, but indicated before the start of round two, that Mercado was in fact down.

By the end of the fourth, Mercado was dictating the fight in extended moments, beating the young prospect to the punch.

However, Mercado was deducted a point late in round seven for a low blow, which would unfortunately play a key factor in the scoring.

After the knockdown and the point deduction, two judges (Chris Migliore and Dave Moretti) scored the bout a draw, 75-75. Judge Zachary Young had the dissenting card for the underdog, Mercado, 76-74.

In his professional debut, Nishant Dev (1-0, 1 KO) of Woodland, California by way of Karnal, India flashed his power in the lighter gloves, scoring a first-round round stoppage of Alton Wiggins (1-1-1) of Modesto, California.

Dev, 155.8, and Wiggins, 156.4, both fought out of the southpaw stance. However, Dev, who won bronze for India at the 2020 Olympic Games, had a clear edge in power and flurried Wiggins for the first of two knockdowns. The game Wiggins was able to continue briefly, but soon enough Dev scored a second knockdown, prompting referee Robert Hoyle to call for the end at 2:48 of round one.

Power-punching former amateur star Harley Mederos (8-0, 7 KOs) of Brooklyn, New York scored a third-round stoppage of Arturo de Isla (5-3-1, 4 KOs) of Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico

Mederos, 134.4, varied his attack from the opening bell and all de Isla, 135.6, could hope to do was to hang in there. The sound from Mederos’ punches alone were thudding and reverberating throughout the Chelsea.

Mederos broke through in the third, dropping Mederos hard with a right hand. Referee Raul Caiz Jr. immediately stopped the contest at 1:27 of the third round.

In the opening bout, 19-year-old wunderkind Zaquin Moses (2-0, 1 KO) of Newark, New Jersey was just getting warmed-up after one round of boxing when short-notice replacement Mario Garcia (3-1, 3 KOs) of Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico remained on his stool.

Moses, 130.4, began to open-up from his southpaw stance in the final moments. Garcia, 137.4, seemed fine going to his corner, but ultimately the fight ended after just minutes.

Photo by Melina Pizano/Matchroom

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortegajr.mario@gmail.com

The official fight week for the Canelo Alvarez-Edgar Berlanga super middleweight clash is underway in Las Vegas, Nevada. Fighters for the mega card are either on their way or have already arrived in Sin City, still the world’s fight capital for now, to take part in the mandatory media blitz on the stretch drive of selling tickets and pay-per-view buys for this Saturday’s event taking place at the T-Mobile Arena, located just to the west of the Strip. For Richard Medina, slated to open the preliminary broadcast against Canelo camp fighter and unbeaten prospect Jonathan Lopez, his first professional trip to Las Vegas represents a calculated gamble with the potential for a large windfall in the near future. 

Medina (15-2, 8 KOs) of San Antonio, Texas has had the benefit of fighting more than half of his professional fights in his hometown or the neighboring Floresville, Texas after concluding a well-decorated amateur career. While home cooking is always nice, most professional fighters have ideas of fighting under the bright lights in Las Vegas, for many years the host city of the biggest fights that could be made. Medina, known as “El Castigo,” is no different. 

“I’m excited,” explained Medina. “I’m really excited. This is like a boxing bucket list to fight in Las Vegas. It was one of my dreams to fight in Las Vegas, so now that it is happening I am really excited and more motivated for sure. I’ve been ready for something to come up like this. I’ve been staying busy in the gym, so I am ready. Canelo is a good fighter. I watch him, and everyone watches him when he fights, so to fight under him, it is a good experience for sure.” 

If there is one aspect that may alter Medina’s perspective on fighting on Canelo Alvarez’s undercard on Saturday, it could be that while Lopez is fighting far from his Orlando, Florida home, he is still the house fighter in the fight. Lopez is trained by Eddy Reynoso, the man that will be in Alvarez’s corner roughly five hours after their television opener. However, Medina is focused on the fighter in front of him and is prepared for what Lopez brings to the table. 

“He’s a good fighter,” Medina says of Lopez. “He has a lot of experience. He fought a couple guys in the amateurs that I know from around here. We’ve been watching a lot of film on him. He’s a counter-puncher. So we’ve been working on stuff to counter that.” 

Promoter Rick Morones Jr. of TMB Promotions has been with Medina since his professional debut in 2018. Morones, who promotes in the San Antonio area and has had a hand in developing many of the top fighters that have emerged from the region in recent years on his shows, understands the tough assignment Lopez presents, but is confident Medina brings challenges the undefeated fighter has not seen before. 

“Lopez is one hell of a fighter,” admits Morones. “He is very talented, he can punch. But I think this is Lopez’ toughest fight. Rick is very skillful, has good footwork, good speed. He had over 130 amateur fights, so he has experience as well. It was something, when this fight happened, we knew what type of fight it was going to be. At the same time, Lopez has not fought anybody like Rick. I think if Rick is on his A-game, he is going to give [Lopez] a lot of problems.” 

The glossy knockout record of Lopez, twelve kayos in 16 fights, catches the eye, but Medina believes that is one edge he has over his 21-year-old opponent. Medina has fought into the seventh round on seven occasions as a professional. On one of those instances, Medina went the full ten-round distance against eventual world champion Raymond Ford, far and away the highest profile fighter on either Medina or Lopez’s ledger. 

“I feel like I am more of an eight-round fighter [than he is,] and I do more damage in the late rounds,” explains Medina, who has fought well late into his last two fights, both of which went eight full rounds. “I think that will definitely benefit me in this upcoming fight.” 

The last time Medina went up against a house fighter in an eight-rounder was his last fight, a unanimous decision defeat to once-beaten George Acosta in Long Beach, California last December. The result of the bout is something of a sore subject to the Medina team. The San Antonio fighter traveled and performed well, to the point many ringside thought the fight was his before the scores were read by Lupe Contreras. Instead, the scores were wide the other way, with one judge managing to find only one round for Medina, making the defeat too hard to swallow. 

“This last fight with Acosta, everybody that was there in attendance thought Rick won that fight,” explains Morones. “I rarely complain, but when they announced the decision, and one of the judges had it 7-1, it was like they thought Rick was never in the fight. It was crazy. If you watch the fight, Rick is touching him up the whole fight and Acosta is just coming forward with his head, holding. I gave that kid two rounds. There’s the photo of them two afterwards and Rick isn’t beat up at all. It was a tough one to swallow, but he got over it. Here we are again, given an opportunity, and he’s here to make the most of it.” 

The moment that presents itself on Saturday is not lost on the 23-year-old Medina. “This is another great opportunity to put my name out there and to keep on moving up in my career,” says Medina. “Last fight, it was tough, fighting in another guy’s backyard. You need to knock him out or win by an overwhelming majority, and I guess I did not do that. So for this opportunity to come up, it is more motivating and I am grateful for it for sure.” 

The fight with Lopez on Saturday is not only an opportunity for the young Medina, but also for  Rick Medina Sr., the father-trainer of the San Antonio native. The elder Medina has only one client, his son, and they are traveling to Las Vegas to make the most of their crack at the big time together. 

“This is both of our dreams right here,” says Richard Medina, groomed to be a fighter since birth by his father. “He and I are both beyond grateful and happy for this. I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else. He has always been by my side, through thick-and-thin. Bumping heads, but he has always stuck by me through the bad and the good. He always told me, and told my mom, even before I was born, that I was going to be a fighter. It was spoken into existence. So this is for both of us, when I win, it will be for both of us for sure.”  

While he will not have the large supportive crowd on hand that he became accustomed to fighting in San Antonio when steps in between the ropes in Las Vegas on Saturday, Medina is ready to kick the pay-per-view watch parties off back home with some excitement. 

“I am feeling amazing,” says Medina. “I am feeling confident. I have been working all year for an opportunity like this. I know it is going to be a good fight, maybe even a knockout I feel like. I would love that. I am looking forward to September 14th. It’s just around the corner. We’re ready.”

Tickets for the event, promoted by Canelo Promotions and TGB Promotions, in association with Premier Boxing Champions, are available online at AXS.com 

The preliminary undercard broadcast, opened by the Medina-Lopez bout, will stream live on Prime Video. 

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortegajr.mario@gmail.com 

By Mario Ortega Jr. (Ringside)

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – Middleweight prospect Amari Jones moved into the main event spotlight in commanding fashion before his hometown supporters with a third-round stoppage of veteran journeyman Daniel Echeverria to conclude a nine-bout card at the Oakland Marriott City Center on Saturday night.  

From the opening bell, it was fairly clear Echeverria (21-13, 18 KOs) of Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico would be fighting up an insurmountable hill for as long as the bout lasted. Jones (13-0, 12 KOs) of Oakland, fighting for the second time in four months, may have held back on the gas in the opening rounds to ensure his friends and family had enough time to take some photos and enjoy themselves before he sent them to the exits with a smile. 

The Oakland-born Jones, 160, took his main event position seriously, adding to the spectacle of the night as he was led to the ring with a walkout performance by Vallejo hip hop artist DaBoii, before zeroing-in on his opponent Echeverria, 161.5. 

After feeling out his southpaw opponent for the first half of round one, Jones opted to join Echeverria in the unorthodox stance and landed a left that had the Mexican fighter looking to clinch late in the round. Jones then switched back to orthodox to finish the first, landing with a clean overhand right to conclude the first three minutes. 

With Jones back in the orthodox stance to begin round two, Echeverria got his courage up and had a brief moment of aggression, leading in with a left. Jones saw the opening and landed a left to the body that dropped the southpaw to the seat of his pants. Echeverria rose quickly, appealing to referee Dan Stell that it was their leg entanglement that caused him to lose his footing. Despite the protest, Stell continued his mandatory eight count before action resumed. 

Early in the third, Echeverria went down to his knee on his own volition, before returning upright to take some unprotected head shots. The combination of unsteady legs and lack of defense appeared to bring the referee into the nearby, looking-for-a-reason to stop the fight position. When Jones obliged by landing a chopping left to down Echeverria to all fours, referee Stell immediately waved off the bout, despite further protest from the overmatched journeyman. Official time was 1:39 of the third. 

With the victory, Jones, who looked untouched after the bout, maintains his position on the upcoming “Thunder Showdown” card set for September 21st at the Thunder Valley Casino Resort in Lincoln, California. With the strong turnout on Saturday, hope for an Oakland return looks probable in the near future. Saturday’s event, promoted by Lion’s Den Boxing Promotions and Upper Cut Promotions, marked the first pro boxing event held in Oakland since 2018. 

In the last appetizer before the main event, “Sugar” Suray Mahmutovic (7-1-1, 6 KOs) of Daly City, California worked off the rust of a fifteen month layoff, scoring a six-round unanimous decision over a tentative Anthony Hollaway (7-7-3, 6 KOs) of Peoria, Illinois. 

In what had the potential to be an entertaining and competitive match on paper, neither Mahmutovic, 177.1, nor Hollaway, 178, looked eager to make the fight. After three rounds, Mahmutovic picked up the pace a bit in round four, finding Hollaway with more regularity with clean punches. Despite their knockout-heavy records, neither fighter looked eager to add a seventh stoppage to their six career kayo tally.  

After six completed rounds, judge Rey Danseco scored the bout a shutout for Mahmutovic, 60-54, while judges Kermit Bayliss and Brian Tsukamoto both had it 59-55. 

In perhaps a tougher assignment than expected, super featherweight prospect Gabriel Garcia (11-0, 6 KOs) of Antioch, California moved past a game road warrior in Giovanni Gutierrez (11-10-1, 6 KOs of Tipitapa, Managua, Nicaragua by six-round unanimous decision. 

The bout would end up including point deductions from both fighters, after many more warnings to each for various infractions, including low blows and hitting behind the head. Despite his opponent’s less than stellar physique, Garcia, 129.1, did not opt for a concentrated body attack that may have slowed the well-traveled Gutierrez, 129. 

Prior to the point deductions, Garcia landed a short right in close at the ten second warning of round four that dropped Gutierrez, who debated with referee Dan Stell that an entanglement caused him to lose his footing and not a punch. After the bell, Gutierrez, who was in a full sprint, swung wildly and missed with what would have been a blatant late punch, but served as a precursor to the later deductions. 

After the rough-and-tumble bout, all three judges scored the contest for Garcia, despite not agreeing on the scoring itself. Judge Rey Danseco had it 56-53, judge Brian Tsukamoto scored it 57-54 and Kermit Bayliss turned in what was a shutout after one point deduction, 59-52. 

Stanford University student Dante Kirkman (2-0) of Palo Alto, California pressed journeyman Miguel Soto-Garcia (1-4) of Fresno by way of Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico over four-rounds en route to a one-sided unanimous decision victory.

Kirkman, 153, was clearly the more technically sound and athletically gifted fighter, but Soto-Garcia, 152.5, knew how to tie up when he found himself in any trouble. Down the stretch, Kirkman went into full headhunter mode, when some well-placed body work may have made his night easier.  

In the end, all three judges were in agreement on the shutout victory for Kirkman as Brian Tsukamoto, Rey Danseco and Kermit Bayliss all had it 40-36. 

In his professional debut, Marcos Antonio Perez (1-0) of Brentwood, California battled his way to a four-round unanimous decision over Ebert Diaz (1-2-1, 1 KO) of Richmond, California in a thrilling back-and-forth affair.

Perez, 144, and Diaz, 143.5, opted to stay in the pocket and trade, much to the delight of the crowd on hand. Despite landing maybe the most telling blow in the bout, a right that rocked Perez early in the third, Diaz was shutout on the card of Brian Tsukamoto, while judges Kermit Bayliss and Rey Danseco both had it 39-37, all for Perez.

Alton Wiggins (1-1) of Modesto, California scored a workmanlike four-round majority decision over late replacement opponent Henry Rivera (2-8, 1 KO) of Las Vegas, Nevada.

Wiggins, 158.2, and the Oakland-born Rivera, 158.2, traded on fairly even terms over the course of the four rounds, but judges Brian Tsukamoto and Rey Danseco both had it a shutout, 40-36 for Wiggins. Judge Kermit Bayliss was the lone dissenting scorer, scoring the bout even 38-38.

Making his long-awaited debut, former amateur standout Kyle Lacanlale (1-0, 1 KO) of San Ramon, California steamrolled Michael Hernandez (0-4) of Banning, California on his way to a first-round stoppage.

Lacanlale, 126.5, quickly hurt Hernandez, 122.5, with one of the first combinations he threw. When Lacanlale eventually dropped Hernandez near the blue corner, referee Kru Michael Rinaldi began a count, before eventually waving off the bout at 1:00 of round one.

In his professional debut, Braulio Ceja Navarro (1-0, 1 KO) of Concord, California forced his will on a game Jaycee King (0-2) of Sacramento, California en route scoring a third-round stoppage.

Ceja Navarro, 132, landed a short right hand late in round one that dropped King, 132, near a neutral corner. Ceja Navarro rocked King again with a combination before the bell sounded to end the first. Ceja Navarro continued the pressure and rocked King again midway through the second round.

By the start of the third, referee Dan Stell was taking a closer look. When Ceja Navarro uncorked a combination early in the round, referee Dan Stell had seen enough. King was stopped standing at :32 of round three. 

In the opening bout, Tony Hirsch Jr. (4-0-2, 3 KOs) of Oakland earned a hard-fought four-round unanimous decision over a determined David Reyes Jr. (3-2-1, 2 KOs) of Fresno, California.

Hirsch, 138.5, was successful controlling the distance and catching the onrushing Reyes, 138.5, on the way inside. Every round featured two-way action, but Hirsch was more adept defensively on the inside.

Judges Brian Tsukamoto, Kermit Bayliss and Rey Danseco all scored the bout 39-37 for Hirsch, who made good in his hometown debut. 

Upper Cut Promotions, co-promoter of Saturday’s event along with Lion’s Den Boxing Promotions, hosts their next event on Saturday, September 21st at the Venue at Thunder Valley, a brand new event space at the Thunder Valley Casino Resort in Lincoln, California. Tickets for the event are available online at uppercutpro.com 

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortegajr.mario@gmail.com 

By Mario Ortega Jr. (Ringside)

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – Emerging lightweight prospect Adrian Torres made short work of veteran Ardin Diale before a boisterous crowd of supporters in the main event of a six-bout card on Saturday night at the Four Points by Sheraton.    

Torres (9-0, 6 KOs) of Chula Vista, California by way Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico looked to be taking a step-up on paper heading into the bout. Diale (35-20-4, 17 KOs) of La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines is by far and away the most experienced fighter the young Tijuanese prospect has met thus far. 

What could have been a test for the 20-year-old Torres ended up more like a routine pop quiz. 

Torres, 134, pressured and punished Diale, 133.6, to the body for much of the opening round. Diale is now fighting much higher on the scale than in his prime and Torres made the Filipino’s soft midsection his primary target. 

Early in the second round, Torres moved in with Diale on the ropes and landed a right to the body that dropped the Filipino to a knee. Diale returned to his feet, but soon felt another solid right to the body that brought him to his knees. With referee David Soliven almost to the count of ten, Diale made a veiled attempt at rising, but the fight was over at 2:03 of the second round. 

With the dominant victory over Diale, who had dropped Julio Cesar Miranda before succumbing to a fourth-round stoppage in a failed bid at the WBO 112-pound title in 2011, Torres looks ready for bigger game.  

Adrian Vargas (14-0-1, 9 KOs) of National City, California made a successful return to the ring from a nearly nine-year layoff to halt Jose Belloso (5-5, 5 KOs) of Rogers, Arkansas by way of Carson, California in the third of a scheduled six-rounder. 

Vargas, 146, scored two knockdowns of Belloso, 146, in rapid succession in the opening round. Vargas connected with an overhand right to score the first knockdown  when Belloso fell into the ropes. Moments later, Vargas connected with a stiff right hand to cap a combination and drop Belloso a second time. 

Belloso did not have the technique or power to keep Vargas at bay for long. Late in the third, just when it looked like Belloso would hear another bell, Vargas landed a combination upstairs that wobbled the Arkansas transplant. Referee Ivan Guillermo had seen enough and Belloso was stopped standing at 2:57 of the third.  

Diego Luna (4-1-1, 3 KOs) of San Diego turned back a strong effort from tough-as-nails Pedro Pinillo (5-9, 5 KOs) of Cali, Colombia, scoring a four-round unanimous decision. 

Pinillo, 138.2, started strong, landing two clean left hands out of his southpaw stance that echoed in the pavilion in the first. Luna, 138.8, featured a more traditional style than the awkward, free-swinging Pinillo. 

As the fight wore on, Luna became more comfortable in the ring, eventually slowing Pinillo’s output with several clean body shots. By the final moments of the bout, Luna clearly had more in the tank and dominated the final moments before the bell. Judge Alejandro Rochin scored the bout 39-37, while judges Pat Russell and Jose Cobian agreed to a shutout, 40-36. 

Jose Chollet (4-1, 3 KOs) of San Diego scored three knockdowns en route to a dominant first-round knockout of Genesis Wynn (2-6, 1 KO) of Los Angeles, California.

Chollet, 143.6, scored knockdown number one early in the round, downing Wynn in a neutral corner. Wynn, 143, returned to his feet, but was soon deposited on the canvas again when Chollet touched him to the body with the left. Against his better judgment, Wynn rose again. With his prone opponent protecting his weakened body, Chollet fired a straight right upstairs that dropped Wynn for the third time and ended matters at 1:42 of the opening round.

Making his U.S. debut before an excited gathering of supporters, Matthew Jacinto (2-0, 1 KO) of San Diego successfully battled a game Victor Saravia (1-5-2, 1 KO) of North Hollywood, California en route to a four-round unanimous decision. 

Jacinto, 129.2, and Saravia, 129.6, fought on even ground over much of the first two thrilling rounds, which featured heated two-way action throughout. 

Jacinto took control in the third, as the body attack may have slowed the determined Saravia a bit. Down the stretch, Jacinto picked his shots effectively, but Saravia gave the crowd a solid effort and proved to be a tough foe for a hometown debut. 

Judge Pat Russell scored the bout 39-38, while judges Jose Cobian and Alejandro Rochin scored it a shutout, 40-36, all for Jacinto.

In his U.S. debut, Andy Ramirez (6-0, 5 KOs) of Ensenada by way of Denver, Colorado finished veteran M.J. Bo (9-9-2, 5 KOs) of Los Angeles by way of Paranaque City, Metro Manila, Philippines with a combination to the body in the second round of a scheduled four. 

Bo, 124.6, was active early, pressing Ramirez back at times during first round. Ramirez, 125.8, stayed controlled until things heated up early in the second, with two-way action. The end came suddenly when Ramirez landed a combination to Bo’s body, punctuated with a left placed near the liver. Bo went down holding his abdomen and was not going to get up. Referee Ivan Guillermo called the contest officially at 1:44 of the second. 

Promoter Saul Rios’ Borizteca Boxing will bring their next event back to Ensenada on October 18th. Their next boxing event back in San Diego at the Four Points by Sheraton, with No Boxing No Life and Clase Y Talento, is tenatively slated for December 7th.

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortegajr.mario@gmail.com 

By Mario Ortega Jr. –

This past May, many hours before one of the faces actively representing the long-storied tradition of fighters from Tijuana, Mexico, Jaime Munguia, came up short in a valiant effort against the leading name in professional boxing as a whole, Canelo Alvarez, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, one of the leading prospects to add to the border town’s fighting mythology, Adrian Torres, gave the production crew and smattering of early onlookers a taste of what the future could hold. Torres, now making his home north of the border, aims to continue his upward trajectory as he takes on veteran Ardin Diale in the six-round lightweight main event at the Four Points by Sheraton in San Diego, California this Saturday night. 

Torres (8-0, 6 KOs) now resides in the San Diego suburb of Chula Vista, having grown up in the Tijuana colonia of La Gloria, with a population of just over 2,600 according to published sources. Over the years, Tijuana as a whole has produced many noteworthy fighters, such as two-division champion Raul Perez, more controversial figure Antonio Margarito, the great Erik Morales to the present day representatives like Munguia and recently dethroned super bantamweight champion Luis Nery. 

“I like “Panterita” Nery,” explains Torres when asked about fighters from his famous hometown. “I like his style and there have been occasions at the Canelo gym in the past where I was able to spar with him and he gave me some encouraging words. I like what he does in the ring, so right now I look up to him.” 

Despite his geographical affiliation with Jaime Munguia, it was Torres’ connections to Canelo, through his team, that landed the aspiring Tijuana fighter known as “Ratón” the coveted slot to open the event on May 4th in Las Vegas, Nevada. Since the tailend of his limited amateur career, estimated to be around 25 fights, Torres has been trained and managed by a dedicated, multi-generational family unit, with chief trainer Carlos Barragán Sr., assistant Carlos Barragán Jr. and manager David Barragán. 

“Since [Canelo’s trainer] Eddy Reynoso helps us out and I work for Eddy, he says, ‘Carlos, let’s put Adrian Torres on,” recounts Barragán Jr. of the discussion that led to Torres’ bout against Arsen Poghosyan in May. “He’s from Tijuana and Jaime Munguia is from Tijuana.’ So I said, ‘Thank you very much’ and we went from there.” 

Prior to the May fight in Las Vegas, six of Torres’ seven pro bouts had taken place before a hometown crowd at the intimate Four Points by Sheraton in San Diego, with the lone exception taking place in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. Despite being the first bout of the evening and performing before a sparsely populated audience, the experience gained of taking part in a Canelo Alvarez fight week alone cannot be underestimated. 

“That is a monster in-and-of itself,” explains Barragán Jr. “Just to have some obligations with the media and have to go make weight. You have to go and find the places to train, especially in Vegas. Then just the arena…walking into that arena is a different monster. When people say they want to fight Canelo, that is what some don’t understand. You have to handle the arena, the media. It was a great experience for the kid.” 

Torres met the moment and won every round on all three official judges’ scorecards over a solid opponent, while going the six-round distance for the first time in his career. 

“It was a great experience,” says Torres of competing on the Canelo-Munguia card. “It is a little different in those kinds of arenas, with the cameras, but it was a great experience. We went six rounds, working with my corner and following their instructions and making little changes along the way, but it was good to go the six rounds.” 

Poghosyan, who competed at a high level as an amateur in Armenia, maintained a trend of tough matchmaking by Torres’ team as they continue to prepare their charge for bigger fights down the road. In just his second pro bout, Torres was matched against a very tough Christian Avalos of Carson City, Nevada, but was able to earn a hard-fought unanimous decision in January of last year. 

“I took that fight when I was really busy, on the road, and opponents were not coming through,” explains Barragán Jr. “They called me on Avalos and, in reality, I didn’t really do my homework and just said let’s go. The contract came in and I started really doing my homework and I said, ‘We have a live one.’ [Avalos] had gone to the nationals, won a silver medal at nationals. Adrian Torres is just a local kid that is learning along the way and Avalos, in that fight, was not going to lay down. We hit him with everything and the kitchen sink, but he was just a tough cookie.”

With only Poghosyan and Avalos, two fighters with accomplished amateur backgrounds and solid chins, having lasted the distance with Torres, it would appear that Tijuana may have another ferocious finisher on the horizon.

“I don’t think it is my actual strength or power [that lead to the stoppages,]” explains Torres. “I think it is the precision of the punches that I throw. Looking at everything, they fall with the shot to the liver, so I really like that shot. I understand that power is good, but sometimes it is good to get the experience of the full rounds, so I can get that experience instead of only having short fights.”  

In the two fights prior to traveling to Las Vegas, Torres impressively dispatched fighters, in William Flenoy and Pedro Pinillo, that had either upset or hung tough against well-regarded prospects between lightweight and 140-pounds. Flenoy entered their bout 2-0-1 in his last three against fighters with a combined 13-0-2 record. Pinillo would go on to last the six-round distance against full 140-pound mega prospect David Lopez this past July. 

“I’m not giving him all scrubs,” says Barragán Jr. “We are developing him and doing some good things. It is just a matter of slowly building, polishing and going from there.” 

Torres’ polishing continues this coming Saturday as he steps up to meet the most experienced opponent of his brief career in 58-fight Filipino veteran and former world title challenger Ardin Diale in a six-rounder this Saturday in San Diego.

“The man is a tough guy with a lot of experience,” says Barragán Jr. of Diale. “He’s fought “Gallo” Estrada, he’s fought some good guys and knows what he is doing. That is the type of experience that is going to get Adrian experience too. Those men are just as dangerous as some of the kids, because they understand where to place punches and those are the types of fighters we want to expose Adrian to.”

Despite the vast difference in professional experience, Torres does not seem too worried that Diale (35-19-4, 17 KOs) of La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines will be able to present anything that he cannot handle.  

“We are just going to go in and work with our speed and counter attacks and not let the experience ruffle our feathers or get us nervous,” explains Torres. “I think it is going to be a great fight, because he is coming in with a lot of experience. We are finalizing everything, checking the weight and focusing on the opponent. Everything is good.” 

The Four Points by Sheraton in San Diego has long been a hot venue for aspiring fighters from both sides of the border and all over Southern California to ply their trade and develop en route to bigger and more lucrative bouts. For many years, famed promoter Bobby DePhilippis made the hotel a destination for fight fans to see exciting, well-matched fight nights. In recent years Saul Rios of Borizteca Boxing, along with Eddy Reynoso’s No Boxing No Life, have proven to be exceptional caretakers of the established tradition. 

“I want to thank Eddy Reynoso from No Boxing No Life and I want to thank Saul Rios from Borizteca Promotions for providing this main event,” says Torres. “I am not going to let anybody down and we are going to have a great show. I want to let the fans know that, just like in the past, when they come to see a “Raton” fight, I will not predict anything, but they can understand that I am going to give them a great fight.”

Tickets for the event, promoted by Borizteca Boxing, No Boxing No Life and Clase Y Talento Boxeo, are available at the House of Boxing Training Center in San Diego. 

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortegajr.mario@gmail.com 

By Mario Ortega Jr. –

Veteran light heavyweight Jasper McCargo entered the ring at a fork-in-the-road moment in time as a professional fighter on Saturday night in Sacramento, California. Should returning Blake McKernan get the best of him in their scheduled six-rounder, “Smooth Jazz” would seriously consider closing up shop on fighting and concentrate on his other life’s work as owner and proprietor of Pound for Pound Fitness, a personal training studio in his hometown of Richmond, California. McCargo did not leave the ring with his hand raised, but the manner in which defeat was dealt has left McCargo with unfinished business. 

Going into the third round on Saturday at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, the local fight fans appeared to be taking in an exciting and competitive fight. McCargo boxed well for most of the first round, but McKernan landed some eye-catching shots late that may have swayed it his way. Round two featured two-way action as well, with McCargo playing the boxer and counter-puncher and McKernan looking to close the distance. 

As is the case in boxing, things can change with one punch and they soon did in the third. McCargo was caught with a stiff right, which was the precursor to a knockdown, as ruled officially by referee Michael Margado, though disputed by McCargo’s own recollection. Upon resumption of the round, McCargo appeared to clear the cobwebs and actually boxed well to close out what had been previously a disastrous stanza. 

Things abruptly came to a halt at the start of round four. Long-tenured and well-respected ringside physician Dr. Gary Furness stood at a neutral corner to assess McCargo and before long referee Margado was waving off the bout, officially at :01 of the fourth, to the dismay of many ringside and despite the animated protest of “Smooth Jazz.”  

“I feel it was definitely an unfair situation that happened,” says McCargo. “To just stop the fight, it was not right. I feel like I deserved to be able to continue in the fight. In no way, shape or form, should he have stopped the fight. It definitely wasn’t right that he did that. I feel it was pretty unfair. We still had three more rounds to go and who knows what would have happened in those next three rounds. Especially the way Blake was getting tired anyway. I was feeling strong.”

To be fair to the ringside doctor, his chief concern is fighter safety and the disappointed fans and spectators ringside did not have the same face-to-face view of McCargo at the time of the stoppage. However, based on McCargo’s performance at the tail end of round three, and his fluidity in the immediate aftermath of the bout, one would have been hard-pressed to find a neutral party ringside that agreed with the timing of stoppage. 

“He didn’t say much to me,” recounts McCargo of his interaction with the doctor in the corner. “He called me over there and as soon as I went over there, I told him, ‘Hey, I feel great. You saw that I finished the round strong.’ He told me to follow his finger, and I know I followed his finger. I was getting ready to start the round and he just waved it off. There was nothing in regards to me, where he should have waved it off. 

I questioned him more about it in the locker room. He said, ‘Your left eye looked funny, like you might have had a concussion.’ I said, ‘Well my left eye is not the same as my right eye anyway.’ And I reminded him that I was talking fine, I was finishing the round strong and I was still punching and making him miss. We had that minute between rounds to recover. There was no reason to stop a fight like that. He just kind of did the brief post-fight test, said that I looked ok and gave me the basic 45-days [post-fight suspension]. And that was the end of the conversation.” 

McCargo (4-6-3, 2 KOs) is also of the opinion that it was not the right hand or any follow-up that finally drove him to the canvas in the third round, which ultimately prompted the ringside doctor’s concern. 

“Even with the knockdown, he caught me with a good shot, but really he shoved me down,” claims McCargo. “I tried to clinch after the shot, and as I was clinching he was actually pulling me down. So it wasn’t the actual shot that made me go down. It was him pulling me down. I guess it could go either way, but still, it wasn’t the type of blow that should stop the fight. If I had a concussion, he should have been able to finish me right there. I wouldn’t have been punching him and making him miss and talking clearly to him. If it was a concussion, I would have been still woozy and not able to punch like that. I just don’t feel like that was a good enough explanation.” 

With the result of their meeting on August 3rd carved into the record books, McCargo’s only recourse is to convince McKernan into giving him a rematch.  “Smooth Jazz” does not want to end his career on the sour note of a questionable stoppage in a fight he and many others felt was still undecided. 

“I feel like I deserve a rematch and all the people that came to see the fight deserve a rematch,” says McCargo. “I feel like if Blake was a real fighter, like a real serious fighter, then he should want to get a clear victory against me. Instead of bragging about a situation like that, as if it was a clear victory. 

The way I feel and the way a lot of other people feel: they paid 75 or 110 dollars to get in there and next thing you know, Blake lands one punch and the referee just stops the fight. And the fight doesn’t continue. I would have been mad too, if I had just come as a fan.” 

Blake McKernan (14-2, 7 KOs) of Sacramento will next fight on September 21st at the Thunder Valley Casino Resort in nearby Lincoln, California. McCargo initiated a push online for fans to voice their desire to see the rematch take place on that date next month and continues to make his case in the hopes the fight can be made in short order. 

“I was already supposed to fight on that show anyway,” says McCargo. “It was in the contract, if I had won, the rematch, with us fighting again, would have been on the 21st [of September]. So we should just fight on the 21st. What should happen is that we have a second fight and continue the first fight, that is what is fair.”  

The ball is likely in McKernan’s court. The rematch would conceivably be the easiest fight to make. Fan interest appears to be there as well. 

“If there were ever any situation where there should be a rematch, this is definitely that situation,” says McCargo. “Otherwise it is just unfinished.” 

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortegajr.mario@gmail.com 

By Mario Ortega Jr. –

Without the support of one of the big-time promoters, fighters aiming to be successful in building their resumes often live by the motto,“I stay ready, so I don’t have to get ready.” Some of the best opportunities free agents receive come from accepting fights on short notice. In recent years, veteran light heavyweight Tony Hernandez has learned the value of staying ready, so when the opportunity came to fight this Saturday in Sacramento, California, “Pretty Boy” did not have to get ready and jumped at the chance. 

Hernandez (6-3-1, 4 KOs) of Live Oak, California is a longtime venue favorite at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, where Saturday night’s event takes place, but he was not originally slated to appear as part of promoter Nasser Niavaroni’s “Showdown in Sactown” card and did not get the call until three weeks out. 

“I was supposed to have one of my fighters make their debut on this card and he ended up getting hurt,” recalls Hernandez, who has owned and operated the Hernandez Boxing Academy in Yuba City for four years. “When that happened, Nasser asked if I could take his spot. So I ended up taking his spot and this is sort of a stay-busy fight for me, because I am looking for bigger fights in August and September.” 

Before Hernandez can shift focus to those potentially more profitable bouts in the coming months, he will first take on Jawan Jackson (0-3) of Sacramento in a four-rounder on Saturday. Jackson sports a novice pro boxing record, but has also competed professionally in MMA and kickboxing. 

“I’ve never heard of him,” admits Hernandez. “He’s almost 40 as well. I don’t know where he trains at. Maybe he is self-taught. He does have a lot of MMA fights though.” 

The one potential hiccup that could even the playing field for the less experienced Jackson would be the fact that Hernandez enters the bout at less than 100 percent. When preparing to fight in late April, Hernandez injured one of his hands in sparring and has been nursing it ever since. 

“I was sparring with Mike Guy and ended up hitting him on the top of the head,” recalls Hernandez. “So I laid off of it before I was offered a fight in Florida and ended up taking it. I was sparring with Joeshon James and hurt it again when I hit him on top of the head and then the elbow.” 

With a late August or September return originally planned, Hernandez has not been sparring since reinjuring himself in order to preserve his hand. 

“After that sparring, my hand was all swollen, and I figured I needed to let it heal,” explains Hernandez. “I couldn’t just keep hurting it, saying yes to fights and keep getting hurt. I wasn’t going to fight until September [until this fight was offered]. I haven’t sparred for this fight to be honest. I’m nursing the hand still. I’m just basically going off of being active and my experience, having been fighting for so long.”

One of the benefits of experience is the opportunity to learn from your past mistakes. Hernandez has gained a better understanding of his body and how to manage his weight between fights. 

“I was walking around at about 190,” explains Hernandez, who had previously begun camps, such as the one before Kenny Lopez Jr., as high as 225-pounds. “I’ll be coming in at 175 [on Saturday]. Right now I am about 183, so I only have about seven pounds to cut. I will just be sitting in a hot bath on Friday morning and drop the rest of the weight. This hasn’t been too bad with such a short notice.”

Without the ability to spar, for the fear of reinjuring his hand, Hernandez has concentrated on other areas of preparation. 

“For a three-week notice, I feel pretty good,” exclaims Hernandez. “I was running the mountains before [I was offered the fight] and staying active. I had hurt my hand so I was taking some time off, but still trying to stay active.”

Should Hernandez come out victorious with two healthy hands he could potentially be back in action before the end of the month on the Amari Jones-Daniel Echevarria undercard in Oakland, California. 

“Nasser might put me on to stay busy,” says Hernandez of the August 31st event, which takes place at the Oakland Marriott City Center.  “I was supposed to fight Amari, but he didn’t want to fight me at a catch-weight of 165. He wanted me to get down to 160. So we’ll see. Nasser was originally going to try and set that up for August, but maybe it is a possibility for September 21st.” 

Hernandez last touched the 160-pound middleweight limit in February of 2020. In the six fights since, including this coming Saturday, Hernandez has competed between 168- and 175-pounds. To get down to 160-pounds, to meet Amari Jones at Thunder Valley Casino, would be quite the undertaking.

“If I could make 160 by September that would be nice, but that’s a tough one,” admits Hernandez of a potential Amari Jones fight. “I’d have to do some serious training for that one.” 

Before he can shift gears and look toward August or September, Hernandez has the task at hand: win on Saturday and leave the ring healthy. 

“I am just hoping for a good show,” says Hernandez, who always draws a boisterous crowd in Sacramento. “I haven’t knocked anybody out since [May 2022,] so I am hoping for a knockout. I am going to push the pace and see how my hand feels. I am expecting this to end and it won’t go the whole four rounds, that is for sure. I’d just be playing with my food at that point.”

After Saturday, Hernandez’s meals could potentially get much bigger in the ring, while also getting smaller out of the ring. 

Tickets for Saturday night’s event, promoted by Upper Cut Promotions, are available online at uppercutpro.com 

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortegajr.mario@gmail.com 

By Mario Ortega Jr. (Ringside)

STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA – In the first-ever boxing event held at Banner Island Ballpark, local hero Gabriel Flores Jr. bested a determined Ronal Ron en route to a hotly-contested eight-round unanimous decision victory. 

Ron (14-6, 11 KOs) of Chino Hills, California by way of Caracas, Distrito Capital, Venezuela proved better than advertised, especially considering one would be hard-pressed to find any pre-fight ballyhoo mentioning him by name. 

Flores (23-2, 8 KOs) of Stockton was satisfied to play the role of the boxer as Ron was the aggressor for much of the bout. 

Flores, the WBA #12 ranked lightweight, started the fight in control, as his superior technical skill proved a problem for Ron, 134.4, through the first two rounds. 

Ron pressed the action for much of the third stanza, as Flores, 134.8, was content to fight off of his back foot. Flores may have been urged by his corner after the third, as he seemed to come out with renewed vigor. After a heated exchange, Ron developed a cut near his left eye that referee Edward Collantes ruled was from a punch in the fourth. 

Following a competitive fifth round, Ron landed well with combinations in the sixth, as Flores continued to play the role of counter-puncher to varying degrees of success. When the Stockton native boxed and moved, Ron had trouble finding the target. When Flores found himself stationary or on the ropes, the Venezuelan was far more successful. 

Flores took a more forceful approach to close out the final two rounds, snapping Ron’s head back along the ropes late. Flores boxed well down the stretch to punctuate his performance. 

Final scores read a little wider than some of the action indicated, as Flores earned the unanimous verdict by scores of 79-73 and 78-74 twice. 

With the win, Flores successfully defended his regional WBA Continental USA title and more importantly stays on track for bigger and better things in the lightweight division. 

Journeyman Andrew Rogers (9-12-3, 3 KOs) of Elkhart, Indiana scored a workmanlike eight-round unanimous decision to notch an upset over Julian Rodarte (19-2-2, 8 KOs) of Downey, California. 

Some of the pre-fight shenanigans will likely garner some scrutiny from those in the know, as Rogers, 140, weighed-in five pounds over the contracted weight on Friday morning. After some negotiating, the bout was allowed to proceed, with Rogers agreeing to a secondary weigh-in Saturday to limit his rehydration. 

Rodarte, 134.4, opened the bout well, outworking Rogers in the first two rounds. The fight began to turn in the third after a left hook staggered Rodarte briefly and may have initiated a small cut.

Rodarte pressed the action in the fourth and slowed Rogers with his body attack  but with was the Indiana native that had more in the tank down the stretch. 

Rodarte, looking a little weary in the seventh, finding himself on his knees twice from slips. Rogers was rough on the inside and looked to be the heavier, stronger fighter as the fight came to a close. All three judges scored the bout for Rogers, 77-75. 

Former standout amateur Lorenzo Powell (2-0, 1 KO) of Sacramento, California scored two knockdowns en route to a one-sided drubbing of converted MMA fighter Ethan Rowan (0-1) of Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Powell, 137.2, rocked Rowan, 139, with the first combination he threw and quickly scored knockdown number one. When Rowan returned to his feet, Powell moved-in quickly and downed Rowan with a left to the body. As soon as Rowan crumpled to the ground, referee Edward Collantes called the one-sided bout at 51 seconds of round one. 

In an entertaining scrap, super flyweight prospect Andrew Rodriguez (4-0, 1 KO) of Salinas, California turned back a determined Alejandro Robles (0-4) of Modesto, California via four-round majority decision. 

The term “better-than-his record” was created for guys like Robles, 115.8, who stood in there with the multidimensional Rodriguez, 113.8, throughout the bout. 

In the end, official judges preferred the offensive output of Rodriguez. Judge Kermit Bayliss scored the bout even, 38-38, but was overruled by judges David Hartman, 40-36, and Brian Tsukamoto, 39-37. 

Former amateur star Steve Canela of San Jose, California had hoped to make his pro debut tonight, but a late opponent switch was only approved for an exhibition by the California State Athletic Commission. 

Veteran Pedro Pinillo (5-8, 5 KOs) of Cali, Colombia had fought just eight days ago in Georgia, but was willing to fight Canela Saturday night in Stockton. 

Canela, 144.6, was consistently first throughout the contest as Pinillo, 145.4, kept a low guard, but hung in there with his fresher adversary. At the bout’s conclusion, ring announcer Lupe Contreeras declared the exhibition had been scored even. 

In under one-round, super bantamweight prospect Ab Lozano (2-0, 2 KOs) of Martinez, California made short work of Wild Card Boxing Club regular sparring partner Rod Sarguilla (2-6, 1 KO) of Los Angeles, California by way of Midsayap, Cotabato, Philippines.

Throughout the brief contest, the stronger Lozano, 123.8, was in complete control of 

Sarguilla, 123. Lozano forced Sarguilla to the ropes and was unrelenting in his assault. Referee Michael Margado repeatedly asked Sarguilla to show him something, but when the southpaw Lozano rocked Sarguilla late in the round, the official had seen enough. Time of the stoppage was 2:50 of round one.

G-Squad Entertainment has an October 12th date on hold at the Stockton Memorial Auditorium, which lines up perfectly for a Flores return. 
Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortegajr.mario@gmail.com

By Mario Ortega Jr.

After a year of cancellations due to everything from opponent pullouts to promoted events that never took place after false weather reports or multiple postponements, Salinas, California-based super flyweight prospect Andrew Rodriguez will finally get to ply his trade in the United States for the first time as a professional this coming Saturday, just 130 miles north of home, at Banner Island Ballpark in Stockton. For Rodriguez, fighting at the Minor League Baseball stadium represents his first opportunity to show his local fanbase that, after years of perfecting his craft, he is ready for the major league of pro boxing. 

Rodriguez (3-0, 1 KO) entered the paid ranks in February of last year, earning a unanimous decision win over a 32-fight veteran in Rosarito, Mexico. For the former National Junior Golden Gloves champion, traveling south for his debut represented the culmination of years of hard work in the gym, dating back to Rodriguez’s early years of grade school. 

“It was pretty wild,” recalls Rodriguez of his debut. “It was like stepping into a new world. You don’t exactly forget about the amateurs, but you have to understand this is the real deal now. You can lose your life in boxing. One wrong hit and it is over. It was an eye opener. I had to tell myself, all the stuff you do outside of the gym is just as important as everything you do in the gym. I take that information I told myself and try to apply it to every day. Whenever I am in the boxing ring as a professional, I need to take care of myself.”

After notching his first knockout two months later in Tijuana, Mexico, Rodriguez was slated to make his stateside debut last April in Santa Ynez, California. After matchmakers for the event could not find an opponent willing to fight Rodriguez at his weight class, the super flyweight stayed the course in the gym, only to have several more agreed to dates fall apart that fall and into early this year. Rodriguez returned to the ring this past April, almost one year to the day of his last fight, scoring a four-round unanimous decision over 32-bout veteran Julio Jacobo back at the Evolution Club in Tijuana. 

“I was glad I went to get those cobwebs out of the way and he was a tough, game fighter,” says Rodriguez of the Jacobo fight. “It was a good fight and it went all four rounds for a unanimous decision win. If the knockout comes, it comes, but I would rather look good the whole fight, than have a shitty performance with a knockout win. I am glad I got that experience for my second full, four-round fight. It felt good after being without a fight for almost a full year. It was good to get in there, get the jitters out and it prepared me mentally for what is coming next.” 

Next up for Rodriguez is a familiar face in Alejandro Robles (0-3) of Modesto, California this Saturday night. After a year of gearing up for bouts that never came to fruition in his home country, the Salinas product had to have a pragmatic view of the proposed date until his opponent signed and it still may not feel like a reality until they step on the scale Friday in Stockton. 

“We got this date in Stockton to finally make my U.S. debut and I was hoping and praying it was going to come through,” says Rodriguez of when the July 20th date was first discussed. “Especially since we didn’t get that call [on the opponent] until late June. So when we got that contract, that was the confirmation stamp that we finally got it. We signed the contract, so it is official.” 

When Rodriguez was offered the fight, his opponent’s name rang familiar, even though he had never been offered to fight him over the last year of searching for bouts in California. After doing some digging, Rodriguez came across an old fight tape and realized they had shared a ring before. 

“I just remembered recently, I had fought him in the Golden Gloves in 2022,” says Rodriguez. “We fought back then and I came out victorious. For a while I didn’t recognize him, but I went back into some old files from amateurs and found out for sure that I had fought him. That was the amateurs though, and it is a whole different game in the pros. You can never underestimate anybody. In the pros, all it takes is that one hit. So looking at him, I am taking it like he is undefeated. He has that chip on his shoulder and I am pretty sure he knows who I am. So we are coming strong, coming hard for him.” 

Despite Robles’ winless pro record, Rodriguez is expecting his foe to come ready and be the best version of himself possible. 

“In his eyes, it has to be a make or break and against a guy that beat him in amateurs,” explains Rodriguez. “He’s fighting close to home for him, so I know he is coming to fight. I am not overlooking him or taking him lightly. I know I beat him in the amateurs, but it is a whole different game in the pros. We have eight ounce gloves on. I am coming mentally ready and physically strong. I’ve had some great work this camp and I feel it will all display this Saturday, July 20th.” 

In preparation for this fight, Rodriguez was in camp with his godbrother and featherweight contender Ruben Villa. The two also traveled to Riverside, California to get work with Robert Garcia’s vast stable of fighters before Villa wrapped up camp for his fight, which took place last Saturday. 

“I got some great work with all undefeated guys, working in the heat out there,” explains Rodriguez of his time in Riverside at the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy. “I got to turn heads and earn some respect out there from them.” 

Back home, finishing up his in-ring preparation, Rodriguez spent time in the squared circle with undefeated super bantamweight prospect Anthony Garnica in Oakland, California, who fights next month. “Garnica is a really solid fighter and one of the best fighters at my weight that I can get work with in the area,” says Rodriguez. 

Should things go according to plan on Saturday, Rodriguez and his team are eyeing potential dates locally in October and November to hopefully keep things rolling into 2025. 

“I want to get one or two more fights before the end of the year,” exclaims Rodriguez. “From there, hopefully five fights next year. I just want to stay active going into 2025 and hopefully be a lot busier all of next year.” 

Rodriguez, who ideally wants to campaign at 115-pounds, but is willing to take fights in the 118-pound bantamweight division, wants to build his career locally as much as possible and solidify his brand, joining Salinas’ storied line of professional fighters. 

“I feel a lot of people don’t know who I really am, just because all my pro fights have been in Mexico,” explains Rodriguez. “I took a break from the amateurs when I was about thirteen, so a lot of people didn’t really get to know me. I do wish my name was a little more out there. That is why we are working right now. I just have to keep working and my time will eventually come. I hope to put on an amazing performance this Saturday and turn a lot more heads.”

Despite all the trouble landing local fights, Rodriguez has continued to gain support from family, friends and fans throughout his early journey in the paid ranks. “Superfly” had a large contingent make the journey to Rosarito for his debut last year and plans to reward everyone that makes the shorter drive north as he fights on the undercard of the first boxing event ever held at Banner Island Ballpark this weekend. 

“I want to thank everyone for all the support,” says Rodriguez. “I know it has been a bumpy first year-and-a-half and I appreciate everyone that has trusted the process, sticking with me through all these fallouts. I just can’t wait to put on this performance on Saturday and show everyone what they have been missing out on.” 

Tickets for the event, promoted by G-Squad Entertainment and available via pay-per-view on the BLK Prime streaming service, are available online at gsquadent.com 

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortegajr.mario@gmail.com 

By Mario Ortega Jr.

While often overlooked and underappreciated, the lower weight divisions in boxing produce some of the best fights each year. Rarely able to rely on punching power to win fights, the elite fighters furthest down the scale more often than not are superb technicians that have honed their craft in the gym. Historically, the American boxing public has been most drawn to the knockout punchers of the heaviest divisions, or the flashy athleticism of welterweights and lightweights. Former amateur sensation David Cardenas Jr. has begun to chart his rise and could one day become a fighter that draws eyeballs to the lowest weight divisions. Cardenas continues his ascension up the ranks Saturday, July 6th in Floresville, Texas.

Cardenas (6-0, 4 KOs) of San Antonio, Texas capped a distinguished amateur career by winning the USA Boxing National Championship at 106-pounds in December 2022 and becoming the #1-ranked fighter in his weight division before turning professional last August in Mexico. For most amateur fighters at the top of their respective weight class, the ultimate goal is the Olympic Games. With the 2024 Summer Olympics on the horizon, but the lightest weight division in competition set at 112-pounds, Cardenas and his team had a decision to make.

“We thought about [qualifying for the U.S. team,] because not everyone gets to go to the Olympics, but 112 isn’t really my weight class, so we decided to just go pro,” recounts Cardenas.

The 105-pound weight class in professional boxing, a division that first became recognized by the professional governing bodies of the sport in the late 1980’s, is often overlooked by even the most ardent followers of the sweet science in the United States. The division’s failure to break through into the public consciousness could be partially contributed to the fact that the division has never had a U.S.-born standout star and had never had a world champion born stateside until Oscar Collazo claimed the WBO title just last year.

Cardenas plans to make his campaign at 105-pounds, or the 108-pound light flyweight division, eventually. Six fights into his professional career, Cardenas has fought opponents as heavy as 121-pound Rodric Cherry, whom he stopped in two-rounds in his second pro bout late last August in San Antonio, and no lighter than 14-fight veteran Richard Hernandez, who made 112-pounds before lasting the four-round distance this past December.

“The difficult part is his weight class,” explains Rick Morones Jr. of TMB Promotions, promoter for Saturday’s event in Floresville. “It is hard to find those little guys. You run out of them pretty fast, so I think that will be the most difficult task for promoters [attempting to match David.] Promoters will tell you that weight class is a problem.”

Helping guide Cardenas’ career and charged with pointing him towards the right opponents as he progresses is his trainer Rick Nunez. “I have been guiding him throughout his fights,” says Nunez, a twenty-year veteran of the sport. “I have a lot of experience in that. I have been trying to build him up and get him to contender status.”

During his stellar amateur run, Cardenas was trained by well-respected U.S. National Team coach Jeffery Mays, among others. Across town, Nunez trained fighters out of his South Park Boxing Academy, including one consistent opponent from Cardenas’ weight class. Unbeknownst to the two, Nunez and Cardenas would eventually stumble into realizing they were in fact of family relation.

“David and his dad showed up to a local boxing event, with his uncle, who I knew was my cousin and I asked how they knew each other, and his uncle said [David Sr.] was his little brother,” recalls Nunez. “I was like, ‘What do you mean this is your brother?’ I still didn’t believe him, so I called my aunt and asked her about it.”

A year or so after getting the verification from his aunt of their family relation, Nunez took on the assignments of training Cardenas and steering his career in the right direction as the young amateur star was set to begin his run as a professional.

“Once he turned pro, I guess he realized he needed to make the transition and I already had a really good resume with building pro fighters and helping guys get to the next level as pros,” says Nunez, who was a part of the team that guided Mario Barrios to a world title. “He just told me, ‘Hey Cus, once I get ready to turn pro I want to come over to work with you.’ We have been working together ever since. We started off last August, so this August will be one year and hopefully he will be 8-0 in one year [of fighting professionally].”

For Cardenas’ first bout, Nunez opted to take his young charge on the road to Tamaulipas, a border state in Mexico, just south of Texas. It was a positive experience for Cardenas, one that he will be able to draw from down the line, as his weight class may require that he pack his passport to seek out the biggest possible bouts.

“It was a good experience,” recalls Cardenas, who never fought internationally as an amateur. “Rick was like, ‘Let’s go to Mexico and get all the nerves out in Mexico.’ I know a lot of fighters do that at the beginning of their career. I trusted in my team and I did that.”

Since his debut in Mexico, Cardenas has enjoyed the luxury of fighting in or within driving distance of his native San Antonio each time out, a streak that continues with his next scheduled bouts, July 6th in Floresville and August 24th back in his hometown.

“I enjoy [fighting at home,”] says Cardenas. “I have a lot of supporters in San Antonio and throughout Texas. They are the reason why I am here in this spot. Later on, it is going to be hard to fight as much here in San Antonio, Texas.”

The fight on Saturday in Floresville will be a rematch, as well as Cardenas’ first bout scheduled for six rounds. Getting ready for the longer distance only requires minor adjustments for a fighter that will have competed eight times in just over his first twelve months as a professional.

“We just do twice as much work,” says Cardenas. “If I am fighting six rounds, I do eight rounds or ten rounds in sparring. I am just doing everything harder.”

“We spar a few extra rounds here and there,” explains Nunez. “I have a lot of amateurs in my gym, but I am not big on amateur boxing, so everyone in my gym is training as if they are a pro or going to turn pro sometime down the line. It is nothing different. It is just about being more patient in the ring and being comfortable with the longer distance.”

For his first bout scheduled for six, Cardenas will meet a familiar foe in 16-fight veteran Steveen Angeles Cruz. The two met in March, with Cardenas winning every round on the judges’ scorecards en route to a four-round decision. Despite the lopsided scoring, it was a tougher-than-expected fight the first time out. With the rematch set for six-rounds Saturday, Cardenas has a second chance to silence any doubters, and two extra rounds to accomplish that feat.

“That was probably one of David’s only not-so-good, not-so-exciting performances,” admits Nunez. “Within the first two rounds, it looked like David was going to knock the kid out, but David just got tired. He just couldn’t put him away and it’s just extra motivation for David. So that is the only reason [for a rematch.] There were some people that said he didn’t look too good against this guy. So we said he had a bad night, we will take it and show everybody that he just had a bad night. He is human like anybody else and it happens.”

Promoter Rick Morones Jr. expects to see an interesting fight on Saturday, with both the young prospect David Cardenas Jr. and the game veteran Steveen Angeles Cruz having something to prove.

“With these types of fights, especially with the first one being tough, you are going to get the best version of Steveen Cruz, so this one will be even better,” says Morones. “But you are also probably going to get a better version of David Cardenas, which makes the fight all that more interesting.”

Should things go according to plan on July 6th, Cardenas will keep the busy schedule rolling into an August 24th bout back in San Antonio. “The first year or two, it is always good to move them at a good pace, because they are only four-round fights and obviously he is not going to go the distance in every one of them,” says Nunez. “He’s not getting into ring wars. His skillset is very good and his IQ is also. He’s not taking punishment, so it’s good to keep him busy. When we get him to that next level, then we will look to back him down to three or four fights a year.”

While it is early to look too far down the road, Cardenas’ team have designs on building him up over roughly the next two years, before setting their sights on challenging for a title. With the aforementioned New Jersey-born, but Puerto Rico-raised and based Oscar Collazo representing the only previous American champion in his division, Cardenas could one day be the first 105-pound champion with a strong hometown fanbase to fight out of the continental United States.

“My career is moving pretty fast and it is going pretty good,” says Cardenas. “I have just been staying in the gym throughout the year and trusting my team and my dad. I stay in the gym and trust that they will get me the fights and wins I need to keep moving forward. Keep expecting exciting fights. Expect to see me keep on improving in these fights and looking better. The tougher the competition is, the better I look.”

Tickets for Saturday’s event at the Floresville Event Center, promoted by TMB Promotions, are available by calling 210-449-5599 or 210-322-9974.

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortegajr.mario@gmail.com

By Mario Ortega Jr. –

OROVILLE, CALIFORNIA – Veteran welterweight Jonathan Garcia revitalized his career with a spirited six-round unanimous decision over Salvador Briceño at the Gold Country Casino Resort on Friday night. 

Briceño (18-8-1, 11 KOs) of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico and representing the Jose Morales Boxing Academy in Roseville, California started off well, landing early with some head-snapping rights and the occasional uppercut. 

Garcia (21-2, 16 KOs) of Watsonville, California began to turn the fight subtly in the third. Garcia, ending a two-and-one-half year layoff, started to land first and get the best of exchanges. 

After starting off well in the fourth, Briceño, 144, may have been overconfident swinging an overhand right that Garcia would counter with a shorter left. Garcia, 144, then came forward and landed his own overhand right that wobbled Briceño. Garcia would land twice more in close as Briceño failed to maintain his footing, resulting in a knockdown.  With half the round to go, Briceño did well to stay on his feet and regain his composure. 

After a rough fourth round, Briceño came on strong late in the fifth. By the last third, Briceño was pressuring Garcia and landing well to close it out. Briceño forced the action in the sixth as well, but was never able to pin down the elusive Garcia. 

Judge Brian Tsukamoto scored the fight 59-54, while judges Reynante Danseco and Kermit Bayliss both scored it 58-55. With the victory, Garcia, now training under Ruben Guerrero, may become an attractive potential opponent for a young prospect on the rise. 

Christian Avalos (2-1-2) of Carson City, Nevada fought through a bloody nose to earn a six-round nod in the eyes of the official scorers ringside over a determined Pedro Angel Cruz (3-5, 2 KOs) of San Jose, California.  

Avalos, 134.5, was rocked back with a hard left and performed a minor miracle to keep his balance to avoid a knockdown in the second. Cruz, 136, would find great success with his left hand throughout the bout. 

Avalos regained his footing and got back into the flow of fight in the third round. The Cruz left hand appeared to be the difference in the fourth as both exchanged willingly. 

By the fifth, the blood was flowing freely from Avalos’ nose as Cruz landed clean with the left. Avalos had a strong sixth round, which ended up sealing the bout on the official cards. 

Judges Brian Tsukamoto and Kermit Bayliss scored the bout 58-56, while Reynante Danseco had it 59-55. Cruz was shocked by the decision, which seemingly could have gone his way. 

Iris Contreras (4-0) of Richmond, California showed no signs of ring rust as she took a hard-fought four-round unanimous decision over Maribel Guerrero (0-2) of Gilroy, California in an action-packed encounter. 

After a close first round, Guerrero, 117, had her best round in the second as she found a home for her right hand. With renewed determination to start the next round, Contreras outworked Guerrero early in the third, before the Gilroy native came on late. Both fighters left it all in the ring to close out the fight, firing in an even exchange until the final bell. 

When the fight concluded, all three judges, Reynante Danseco, Kermit Bayliss and Brian Tsukamoto, had scored the bout 39-37 for Contreras. 

In a battle between fighters with mixed martial arts backgrounds, Miguel Soto-Garcia (1-2) of Fresno, California by way of Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico scored a four-round unanimous decision over Scott Hayward (0-1) of Redding, California 

Soto-Garcia, 148.5, was the slightly more polished boxer. What Hayward, 145.5, lacked in technique he made up for in heart, but a flash knockdown in the second sealed the fight for Soto-Garcia. 

Judge Brian Tsukamoto scored the bout 38-37, while judges Kermit Bayliss and Reynante Danseco both had it 39-36.

Clayton Hibbert (1-2) of Los Angeles, California moved into the win column with a first-round stoppage of Ebert Diaz (1-1-1, 1 KO) of Richmond. 

Fighting out of the southpaw stance, Hibbert, 142, stunned Diaz, 142, with a clean left hand. Before Diaz could shake the cobwebs, Hibbert landed with the ensuing combinations to score a knockdown. Diaz got to his feet, but was stopped standing shortly after as referee David Hartman did not like what he saw. Time of the stoppage was 2:44. 

Marco Ortiz (1-2, 1 KO) of Red Bluff, California avenged a prior defeat in emphatic fashion, stopping Matthew Monroe (1-3) of Sacramento, California in the second round. 

Ortiz, 168.5, took control of the fight late in the first round, landing clean with an uppercut with Monroe, 165, backed into a neutral corner. 

When action resumed in the second, Ortiz came out aggressively and caught Monroe with a flurry that staggered the Sacramento resident. Referee Michael Margado ruled the ropes held up Monroe to score a knockdown. With Monroe on unsteady footing, Margado called the bout at 1:09 of the round. Monroe edged Ortiz by split decision in their first meeting last year. 

Upper Cut Promotions and Fisticuffs Productions, promoters of Friday’s event, present their next card back at Gold Country Casino Resort on July 26th. 

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortegajr.mario@gmail.com 

By Mario Ortega Jr.-

OROVILLE, CALIFORNIA – Salvador Briceño takes on comebacking Jonathan Garcia in a six-round welterweight bout to headline the return of professional boxing to the Gold Country Casino Resort on Friday night. The match-up of offensive-minded veterans will cap a six-bout card. Fighters weighed-in Thursday afternoon at the host venue. 

Briceño (18-7-1, 11 KOs) of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico and representing the Jose Morales Boxing Academy in Roseville, California is fresh off an eight-round unanimous decision over veteran Cameron Krael on March 16th and with a win Friday, hopes to keep a busy pace the rest of the year. 

“The plan Jose and I have is to win five or six more fights and then find the bigger fights,” Briceño explained. “We are taking it slow, making the right decisions for my career.”

Garcia (20-2, 16 KOs) of Watsonville, California will look to shake-off the second longest inactive period of his pro career with a tough assignment in Briceño. Garcia, looking to derail his opponent’s plans, went 5-1 entirely in Mexico after ending his last layoff of over four years in 2019. 

Garcia was known as a fan-friendly fighter during his rise in the Southern California boxing scene early in his career. Briceño is not often outworked in the ring, so the bout with Garcia figures to be entertaining as long as it lasts. Both fighters came in at 144-pounds on Thursday afternoon. 

In a lightweight fight that promises action, Christian Avalos (1-1-2) of Carson City, Nevada will take on Pedro Angel Cruz (3-4, 2 KOs) of San Jose, California over a scheduled six rounds. 

Avalos and Cruz are no stranger to fans that attended last May’s event at the Gold Country Casino Resort. On that night, Avalos engaged in a four-round war with Mark Salgado that ended in a draw. On that same May card, Cruz pounded out a four-round unanimous decision over tough David Reyes.

Avalos and Cruz were the last fighters to weigh-in Thursday. Avalos weighed-in one-half pound under the contracted weight at 134.5. Cruz, having attempted to sweat down to the contracted 135-pounds, came up short and scaled 136. The extra pound will cost Cruz, but the fight is on. 

Ebert Diaz (1-0-1, 1 KO) of Richmond, California will return to the Gold Country Casino Resort to take on Clayton Hibbert (0-2) of Los Angeles, California in a four-round light welterweight bout. Diaz and Hibbert both made 142-pounds. 

In a middleweight rematch, Marco Ortiz (0-2) of Red Bluff, California gets a second crack Matthew Monroe (1-2) of Sacramento, California. Monroe scored a four-round decision over Ortiz last November. Monroe made 165-pounds, while Ortiz scaled 168.5. When they met the first time, Monroe, at 176-pounds, was four pounds heavier than Ortiz.

Two fighters with mixed martial arts backgrounds will throw hands in a four-round welterweight bout when Scott Hayward of Redding, California makes his professional boxing debut against Miguel Soto-Garcia (0-2) of Fresno, California by way of Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico. Soto-Garcia came in heavy at 148.5 to Hayward’s 145.5-pounds. 

Maribel Guerrero (0-1) of Gilroy will take on Iris Contreras (3-0) of Richmond in a four-round bantamweight bout. Guerrero, cousin of Robert Guerrero and trained by her uncle Ruben Guerrero Sr., weighed-in at 117-pounds. Contreras, trained by her father Filemon Contreras, scaled 116.5-pounds. 

Quick Weigh-in Results:

Welterweights, 6 rounds

Briceño 144

Garcia 144

Lightweights, 6 Rounds

Avalos 134.5

Cruz 136

Super middleweights, 4 Rounds

Monroe 165

Ortiz 168.5

Light welterweights, 4 Rounds

Diaz 142

Hibbert 142

Welterweights, 4 Rounds

Hayward 145.5

Soto-Garcia 148.5

Bantamweights, 4 Rounds

Guerrero 117

Contreras 116.5

Tickets for the event, promoted by Upper Cut Promotions and Fisticuffs Productions, are available online at uppercutpro.com 

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortegajr.mario@gmail.com 

By Mario Ortega Jr. –

Veteran junior welterweight Salvador Briceño fights for the second consecutive calendar month when he takes on Jonathan Garcia this Friday night at the Gold Country Casino Resort in Oroville, California in a six-round bout at 147-pounds. The active schedule is all part of the plan Briceño and team have to get the California transplant ready for bigger fights in the near future. 

Briceño (18-7-1, 11 KOs) of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico and fighting out of the Jose Morales Boxing Academy in Roseville, California comes into Friday night fresh off of an eight-round unanimous decision over 56-fight workhorse Cameron Krael just six weeks ago. 

The March bout against Krael marked Briceño’s second working with Morales as his trainer. The first was a draw against Southern California-based Louie Lopez in November. 

“The last two fights weren’t easy either,” explains Morales. “We went to L.A. and went to his opponent’s hometown as the B-side and got a draw. It was really a win, but they weren’t going to give us that. Same thing last fight, we fought a tough, veteran guy with over 50 fights and won unanimously.”

Briceño found his way to his new team, led by Jose Morales, after attempting to navigate the difficult pro boxing landscape largely on his own to mixed results.  

“I originally came from Mexico to pursue fighting in the States,” recalls Briceño. “When I originally moved here, I was training at a gym in Woodland, and I came to [the Jose Morales Boxing Academy in Roseville] to spar Ruben Torres. I met Jose then and eventually decided to switch gyms and work with Jose instead.”

Prior to hooking up with Morales, Briceño had come up short in pandemic era bouts against well regarded prospect Lindolfo Delgado and contender Josue Vargas. Despite traveling to Vegas alone, without a corner, Briceño acquitted himself well enough to last the distance against both of his favored opponents.  

“The plan is to have rematches with them,” says Briceño. “When I was fighting them, my team did not go with me to the fights and I also took those fights on very short notice. It was difficult because my team wasn’t there in my corner.”

After the Delgado fight, Briceño stepped away for two years, which led him to seek fights seven pounds north at welterweight for the time being. That trend continues Friday when he takes on Garcia. 

“I’ve only had two fights at welterweight, but I’ve felt strong,” explains Briceño. “The plan is to go [back down] to 140-pounds. I had taken a year off from fighting and had gained weight, so I am fighting at welterweight for now.”

Garcia (20-2, 16 KOs) of Watsonville, California finds himself in a position similar to where Briceño was before returning to the ring last November. Garcia, with a new team behind him, will be ending a two-and-a-half year layoff Friday. 

“We look forward to the challenge,” exclaims Morales. “He has a good record and he’s coming off of a layoff, so I know he is probably hungry and determined to make a statement. We are excited for the challenge and the opportunity to showcase our skills against a tough opponent and put on a good show for everybody.”

In preparation for Friday’s contest Briceño has logged rounds with Sacramento’s rising contender Cain Sandoval, highly-touted Stockton prospect Sachery Sam and rugged veteran Jose Gomez, among others. 

“He’s definitely in shape and ready to go,” reports Gomez. “We sparred eight strong rounds. He just keeps coming and holds a good pop to his punches when he sits down on them. Overall he’s a great friend and very humble guy.”

Should everything go according to plan in Oroville, Briceño will return to the ring in July in Stockton, with his friend and sparring partner Jose Gomez a possible option for the bout. 

“The goal is to try to keep him as busy as possible against good opponents and get traction going into the next year when we will start to look for bigger opportunities,” explains Morales. “He’s got the skill, he’s got the work ethic and now he’s got the team behind him. He’s creating a fanbase and I think he’s trending in the right direction.”

“I feel good, better than ever before,” proclaims Briceño. “I am ready to fight. I am confident in the work I have put in. My fans who come out are going to see a good fight. We are going to fight in the front, and with my experience, we are hoping to put on a good show and win by a knockout. Don’t miss out on these fights.” 

Tickets for Friday’s event, promoted by Upper Cut Promotions and Fisticuffs Productions, are available online at uppercutpro.com 

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortegajr.mario@gmail.com 

By Mario Ortega Jr. –

Middleweight prospect Victor Guerrero will meet his toughest test to date in veteran spoiler Moris Rodriguez as Upper Cut Promotions and Fisticuffs Productions bring live professional boxing back to the Gold Country Casino Resort in Oroville, California on Friday, April 26th. The six-round main event will cap an exciting night of action featuring some highly competitive match-ups. 

Guerrero (7-0, 5 KOs) of Las Vegas, Nevada by way of Gilroy, California made his U.S. debut with a thrilling four-round unanimous decision over a determined Matthew Monroe in Sacramento, California in January. Representing the next generation of the fighting Guerrero family, Victor will meet the most experienced opponent of his young pro career as he moves up to the six-round scheduled distance for the first time. 

“I am just very thankful to be part of a great card with great fights, as well as being the main event,” says Guerrero. “I am truly blessed with the opportunity to perform in front of my friends and family. Being my first six-rounder, it’s driven me to put in that extra work and pushed me to push myself to that next level in training. I can’t wait for April 26 to show everyone what’s coming.” 

Rodriguez (8-16-2, 5 KOs) of Sacramento has been matched incredibly tough throughout his nearly fifteen-year professional career. Despite taking tough fights, sometimes on very short notice, Rodriguez has the scalps of several previously undefeated or well-regarded prospects on his mantle. Now, taking on one of the biggest opponents in his career, Rodriguez will aim to spring another upset. 

In a pick ‘em fight between two hard-nosed veterans, Salvador Briseño will take on Jonathan Garcia in a six-round welterweight clash.

Briseño (18-7-1, 11 KOs) of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico and representing the Jose Morales Boxing Academy in Roseville, California is fresh off an eight-round unanimous decision over veteran Cameron Krael on March 16th. 

Garcia (20-2, 16 KOs) of Watsonville, California will look to shake-off the second longest inactive period of his pro career with a tough assignment in Briseño. Garcia, once one rising prospects of the California scene, went 5-1 entirely in Mexico after ending his last layoff of over four years in 2019.

In a lightweight battle that promises action, Christian Avalos (1-1-2) of Carson City, Nevada will take on Pedro Angel Cruz (3-4, 2 KOs) of San Jose, California over a scheduled six rounds. 

Avalos broke through into the win column in his last bout after two successive wars with another San Jose-based fighter in Mark Salgado. The first Avalos-Salgado war took place at Gold Country Casino Resort last May. On that same May card, Cruz pounded out a four-round unanimous decision over tough David Reyes.

Ebert Diaz (1-0-1, 1 KO) of Richmond, California will return to the Gold Country Casino Resort to take on Clayton Hibbert (0-2) of Los Angeles, California in a four-round light welterweight bout. 

In a middleweight rematch, Marco Ortiz (0-2) of Red Bluff, California will attempt to avenge a hotly contested four-round split decision he suffered at the hands of Matthew Monroe (1-2) of Sacramento, California last November.

Two fighters with mixed martial arts backgrounds will throw hands in a four-round welterweight bout when Scott Hayward of Redding, California makes his professional boxing debut against Miguel Soto-Garcia (0-2) of Fresno, California by way of Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico. 

Maribel Guerrero (0-1) of Gilroy will take on Iris Contreras (3-0) of Richmond in a four-round super flyweight bout. Guerrero, cousin of Robert Guerrero and trained by her uncle Ruben Guerrero Sr., turned pro in March. Contreras, trained by her father Filemon Contreras, holds a win over top ranked Shurretta Metcalf. 

Tickets for the event, promoted by Upper Cut Promotions and Fisticuffs Productions, are available online at uppercutpro.com 

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortegajr.mario@gmail.com 

By Mario Ortega Jr. (Ringside)

STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA — Making good on his hometown return, Gabriel Flores Jr. took a step back towards contention with a ten-round unanimous decision over durable and previously unbeaten Julian Rodarte at the Adventist Health Arena on Saturday night. 

Flores (23-2, 8 KOs) of Stockton used his superior boxing ability to great effect early in the bout as Rodarte (19-1-2, 8 KOs) of Downey, California struggled to find his way past the jab. 

Rodarte, 134.8, looked to be on his way to banking the fourth, until Flores, 134.4, completely took over midway through the round. Flores landed with a combination upstairs that staggered Rodarte and brought the partisan crowd to their feet. Rodarte weathered the storm with his elbows high before firing back after he regained his footing late in the act. 

Flores found the right range midway through the fight. After Rodarte made the fifth round competitive, Flores kept the Downey resident at the end of his punches for most of the sixth. Flores continued to keep his distance and land effectively throughout the seventh. Rodarte did land one of his better shots in the bout, snapping Flores’ head back in the final seconds of the round. 

As the fight moved into the final quarter, Flores seemed content to box his way to a decision as he kept his distance and picked his shots more judiciously. Rodarte was game, but struggled to cut off the ring throughout bout.  

One judge scored the bout for Rodarte, 96-94, but was overruled by the score of 98-92 twice for Flores, who claimed the vacant WBA Continental USA lightweight title with the victory. 

Fernando Vargas Jr. (14-0, 13 KOs) of Las Vegas by way of Oxnard, California made a statement as he moved up in class and stopped veteran Brad Solomon (29-7, 9 KOs) of Douglasville, Georgia by way of Lafayette, Louisiana via fourth-round stoppage. 

Vargas, 152.8, began to pull away in the fight early in the third round. Solomon, 151.2, did not have the power to keep Vargas at bay. Solomon showed signs of wilting after Vargas began a rally with a left upstairs midway through the stanza. Vargas moved in early in the fourth, forcing Solomon to a knee in his own corner. As the referee moved in, Solomon’s corner had already begun to signal to the official that they had seen enough. With the official time of 1:32 of the fourth round, referee Rudy Barragan called a halt to the bout. 

Lorenzo Powell (1-0) of Sacramento, California was made to work for his first professional victory en route to scoring a four-round unanimous decision over free-swinging Jose Valenzuela Alvarado (2-13-1, 1 KO) of Puebla, Puebla, Mexico. 

Powell, 134, was the more polished boxer but failed to consistently make Valenzuela Alvarado, 136.2, pay for his less-than-refined style. Powell made the fight more difficult than necessary, allowing Valenzuela Alvardo in close instead of keeping his distance and making the most of his Mexican adversary’s mistakes. In the end, the fight was never in doubt, as Powell took all three cards, 40-36. 

Jessie James Guerrero (4-0-2, 4 KOs) of Salinas, California returned to the ring and quickly shook off any ring rust with a second-round stoppage of veteran Jose Rodriguez Montemayor (7-9, 6 KOs) of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin by way of Piedras Negras, Coahuila de Zaragoza, Mexico.

After an aggressive, offense-minded opening round, Guerrero, 113.4, came out with a concentrated body attack to begin the second. Rodriguez Montemayor, 115.4, struggled to defend before giving in to a left hook on the beltline for the first of three trips to the mat. Guerrero would quickly find Rodriguez Montemayor’s sweet spot twice more, lastly with a right to the kidney, prompting a stoppage at 1:40 of the second round. 

In the walkout bout, Salvador Briceno (18-7-1, 11 KOs) of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico bested Cameron Krael (20-32-3, 7 KOs) of Las Vegas, Nevada via eight-round unanimous decision. 

Briceno, 146.4, and Krael, 147.6, fought on fairly even terms throughout. Briceno may have edged the rounds with a busier output. In the end, one judge scored the bout 79-73, while the other two had it 80-72, all for Briceno. 

Saturday’s near sold out event served as the inaugural showcase for G-Squad Entertainment,  new promotional entity helmed by Gabriel Flores Sr. 

Photo by Julio Sanchez/G-Squad Entertainment 

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortegajr.mario@gmail.com 

By Mario Ortega Jr. –

Gabriel Flores Jr., once one of the most highly regarded lightweight prospects in all of the sport, returns home to Stockton, California on Saturday night, as he and his father Gabriel Sr. have taken the step of launching new promotional entity G-Squad Entertainment as they chart a path for the next stage of their careers. Flores will take on unbeaten Julian Rodarte for the vacant WBA Continental USA lightweight title in the ten-round main event of a five-bout card at the Adventist Health Arena. Fighters weighed-in Friday at the host venue. 

Flores (22-2, 8 KOs) of Stockton was last in the ring at this same venue last May, making short work of veteran journeyman Derrick Murray as he helped boost ticket sales for the Top Rank-promoted event. Now with more control than ever over his own career, Flores will hope a victory over Rodarte, while claiming a regional title in the process, will put his name back in the mix at 135-pounds. Flores weighed-in just under the lightweight limit at 134.4-pounds on Friday. 

“This is going to be a great performance,” Flores told 15rounds.com on Friday. “I am going to have another memorable night. Get your tickets now!” 

Rodarte (19-0-2, 8 KOs) of Downey, California sports a similarly glossy record, but a comparison of resumes will show that Flores represents a significant step-up in competition for the out-of-town challenger. Rodarte last fought in August where he was held to a draw by a fighter that had dropped his previous seven contests. Rodarte, fighting in California for the first time since 2019, scaled 134.8-pounds at Friday’s weigh-in. 

With his famous father of the same name in his corner, Fernando Vargas Jr. (13-0, 12 KOs) of Las Vegas, Nevada by way of Oxnard, California will meet perhaps his toughest foe to date in veteran Brad Solomon (29-6, 9 KOs) of Douglasville, Georgia by way of Lafayette, Louisiana in a six-round light middleweight bout. Vargas’ knockout streak ended two fights back as he was finally taken the six-round distance last August, before scoring his twelfth knockout over Wilfrido Buelvas in November. Solomon, a 16-year professional veteran, did not fight in 2023, last seeing ring action in December of 2022 in a failed bid at a regional title. Vargas scaled 152.8-pounds Friday, while Solomon made 151.2. 

Making his professional debut on Saturday, well-regarded Lorenzo Powell of Sacramento, California will take on Jose Valenzuela Alvarado (2-12-1, 1 KO) of Puebla, Puebla, Mexico in a four-round lightweight bout. Powell, who had been slated to turn professional last November before the event was canceled due to weather forecasts, scaled 134-pounds. Valenzuela Alvardo came in heavy at 136.2-pounds at the weigh-in. 

Two veteran gatekeepers meet in a scheduled eight-round welterweight bout, as Salvador Briceno (17-7-1, 11 KOs) of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico takes on Cameron Krael (20-31-3, 7 KOs) of Las Vegas. Briceno, who took Gabriel Flores Jr. the eight-round distance back in 2019, weighed-in at 146.4-pounds. Krael, who managed to fight eight times last year and is somehow still just 30-years-old, came in at 147.6-pounds. 

Representing the third generation of his vast fighting family, Jessie James Guerrero (3-0-2, 3 KOs) of Salinas, California returns to the ring for the first time in almost a year, as he takes on Jose Rodriguez Montemayor (7-8, 6 KOs) of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin by way of Piedras Negras, Coahuila de Zaragoza, Mexico in a six-round super flyweight bout. Guerrero, expecting his first child to be born this Father’s Day, will be fighting on his pregnant girlfriend Ariel’s birthday on Saturday night. Montemayor, originally slated to meet Jesus Haro, came in heavy at 115.4-pounds, while Guerrero made 113.4-pounds. 

Tickets for the event, promoted by G-Squad Entertainment and to be streamed live by FightHub TV, are available online at Ticketmaster.com 

Quick Weigh-in Results:

WBA Continental USA Lightweight Championship, 10 Rounds

Flores Jr. 134.4

Rodarte 134.8

Light middleweights, 6 Rounds

Vargas Jr. 152.8

Solomon 151.2

Lightweights, 4 Rounds

Powell 134

Valenzuela Alvarado 136.2

Welterweights, 8 Rounds

Briceno 146.4

Krael 147.6

Super flyweights, 6 Rounds 

Guerrero 113.4

Rodriguez Montemayor 115.4

Photo by Julio Sanchez/G-Squad Entertainment 

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortegajr.mario@gmail.com 

By Mario Ortega Jr. –

Nearly one year removed from his last fight, undefeated Jessie James Guerrero makes his long-awaited return to the ring this coming Saturday night when he takes on veteran Jose Rodriguez Montemayor at the Adventist Health Arena in Stockton, California. The six-round flyweight bout will serve as one of the featured attractions underneath Gabriel Flores Jr.’s homecoming main event. The event serves as the inaugural showcase for Gabriel Flores Sr.’s G-Squad Entertainment promotional entity. 

Guerrero, from the famed fighting family out of Gilroy, California, is primed and ready for Saturday night, considering he has been in camp since the fall of last year. Unfortunately for Guerrero, fight after fight fell through during that stretch: one in November, one in December and a third was first postponed, rescheduled and then ultimately canceled in January. 

“It does mess with us,” explains Guerrero. “Are we going to fight or are we not going to fight? I am working my butt off in camp, cutting weight, gaining weight, cutting weight. For me, it’s a good thing that I walk around between these weights, so I don’t really have to worry too much about it. So I feel pretty good right now.” 

Guerrero, the nephew of former world champion Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero, has continued to develop his craft in the gym, despite not getting the chance to show off his new tools before a paying crowd. Training under and alongside his uncle and sparring different types of fighters, Guerrero has been working hard away from the spotlight since the fall. 

“Camp has been great,” says Guerrero. “We started camp off in October. I went out to camp with my uncle for his fight with [Andre] Berto. I was out there with my cousin Vic, who just fought in January. We were getting ready for our fights in November. We were out there working in a world championship camp with my uncle and nothing gets better than that. I was sparring with all different types of guys; lefties, righties, switchers, power punchers, counter punchers. I got all the work I needed.”

When the January bout, scheduled to take place in San Jose, California, was taken off the books, Guerrero (3-0-2, 3 KOs) almost immediately shifted focus to this Saturday in Stockton, which will now serve as just his second contest to take place in the United States. 

“I took a week off and reset,” recalls Guerrero. “I came home for a week before going to camp again. I stayed in shape and worked on what I needed to improve on so I could be 110 percent for this fight coming up on March 16th.” 

Guerrero’s pro ledger fails to include two bouts he won as a 16-year-old in Tijuana, Mexico that have yet to be recognized by official record keeper BoxRec. With only a year of amateur fights under his belt, Guerrero’s team, which includes his father Ruben, his grandfather Ruben Sr. and his uncle Robert, believed Jessie James could handle the move to the paid ranks shortly after completing his sophomore year of high school. 

“A lot of people thought we were crazy,” admits Jessie James. “A lot of people told my grandpa…but from a coach with a lot of experience, doing this for over 40 years, he knows what’s best for me and my team knows what’s best for me. I was excited to go pro and I got a little glory while I was still at school. By the time I fought my fourth and fifth fight in Mexico, I would take two weeks off of school to finish the last two weeks of camp. I would go back and a lot of the staff would give me congratulations or tell me they were proud of me. Teachers had newspapers of me in the classroom. I got a good amount of glory for the next two weeks at school.”  

In his last outing, Guerrero made his stateside debut in Fresno, California on a big Top Rank-promoted event. The night got off to a great start for the young Guerrero. “It was a great experience that I will never forget,” recalls Jessie James. “I remember walking out through that tunnel and seeing all those people. This is what it feels like. It all happened so quick, so I didn’t really look around. But after the fight, I could look around at all the people yelling and cheering, so it was a great excitement. Now I have that experience and got those butterflies out of the way, so now I know what that moment feels like, moving on.” 

After the pageantry ended, Guerrero encountered new challenges and endured a learning experience before ultimately settling for a draw against Eduardo Alvarez. The first hiccup would be seeing his own blood as the result of an accidental headbutt in the first round. 

“I didn’t even realize I had got cut until I got back to the corner,” says Guerrero. “My first pro fight, I got headbutted. My opponent’s head went right to my nose and my nose started swelling up and I thought I broke it. But this fight I had got cut and I didn’t notice until I got back to the corner and they told me and then I saw the blood on me. I handled it well and didn’t let it faze me. When I went back to the corner, I just felt like it was a dogfight now and that we were in for a good one.” 

After battling his own blood, Guerrero also came up against an official he felt had it out for him. The end result would be a split decision draw where no judge scored it the same. “That whole night was a bunch of drama,” exclaims Guerrero. “The ref was a jerk to us the whole time. I couldn’t fight my fight, it just threw me off. Any little thing, I felt like he was going to take a point or find a way to mess with us. That’s why they say in four-rounders, you have to take them out easy. Anything can happen in four-rounders. That was the last four-rounder and I’m glad to move to six-rounders.” 

With his uncle Robert’s hall of fame type career winding down, Jessie James is one of four Guerreros of his generation carrying on the family’s fighting legacy. His cousin Victor Guerrero is an undefeated middleweight and his cousins Maribel and Robert Guerrero Jr. just made their professional debuts this past Saturday in Tijuana. 

“It is not just one of us in the hot seat,” says Jessie James. “There’s four of us. We see each other in the gym. We push each other. We watch and give each other tips. We have my uncle here helping with my cousins and I, and my grandpa. We are all in the gym and working, so it helps a lot. For my uncle, making the way and making a name in this sport, that does bring us a bonus to get into these fights. A lot of promotional companies want fighters with an amateur background, Olympians and national champions. So for us, with very few amateur fights, it is a big opportunity for us and the window is very small, so we are taking everything we can and pushing for it, to get our names out there.” 

Adding to his motivation in carrying on the Guerrero family business, Jessie James will soon be welcoming a new addition to the clan, as he and his girlfriend Ariel are expecting their first born to arrive in June. 

“I found that out the first week I was in Vegas for camp,” remembers Jessie James. “When I found that out, my switch flipped. Every single day, I put 150% into everything I did, day-in and day-out. No matter what it was, sparring or running…I said to myself I have a family to support now. When I had a one-on-one talk with my uncle, he told me that he could see the difference since I had been there and found out. He had seen it, that I had changed and in everything I did, I had stepped up. He was surprised and could see how hungry I was to do something. Coming from not only a world champion in this sport, but coming from my uncle, that motivates me and pushes me because I have seen him do it. Now that I have a baby on the way, I have to make a statement in the sport. ” 

With a baby shower slated for the end of the month, and a fight scheduled on his expecting girlfriend’s birthday, March 2024 is lined up to be one of the most memorable calendar pages in the life of young Jessie James Guerrero. The first order of business comes this Saturday in Stockton. 

“I am ready to put on a show. I want to say thank you for all my supporters, my family and friends and everyone that has been supporting me. It is not just hard on me when these fights fall out. I’ve got people buying tickets and taking time off of work to come, some coming from out of state, to come and just to have these fights fall out. This time around, it just adds that fire to me, that they came to support me and I can’t let them down. For months, we’ve been in camp and ready to fight. With the fight on my girlfriend’s birthday, I got to come home with the win. I’ve gotta show out.” 

Tickets for the event, promoted by G-Squad Entertainment, are available online at Ticketmaster.com 

Photo by Trini Guerrero

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortegajr.mario@gmail.com 

By Mario Ortega –

Proud to carry on the boxing rich tradition of his hometown Salinas, California, promising bantamweight Andrew Rodriguez will make his stateside debut just an hour’s drive up the road at the Guildhouse in San Jose on Tuesday, January 30th. The four-round bout will be featured as part of the initial Tuesday Night Fights broadcast presented by streaming service BLK Prime. 

Having turned professional in Mexico, Rodriguez (2-0, 1 KO) will not only be introducing himself to a national audience when he takes on Gabriel Ponce (5-4-1, 3 KOs) at the end of this month, but for many of his family and friends, the four-round contest will be their first chance to see “Superfly” fight live and in-person. 

Despite having just the two pro bouts under his belt, Rodriguez is in many ways a veteran of the ring, having taken up the sport while still in elementary school. As a youngster years ago, Rodriguez was inspired by the fistic success of his godbrother, current featherweight contender Ruben Villa. After watching Villa, six years his senior, compete, Rodriguez knew he wanted to give the sport of boxing a try. 

“He’s one of the main reasons why I have gone into boxing,” Rodriguez says of Villa. “I have always been around boxing because of him. I remember telling my dad this is something I want to do, and he was like, ‘Are you sure?’ And I said, ‘yes.’ That next week, I believe, we went to the gym he was at at that time. I trained with him for that week and at the end my dad asked me if this is something that I still want to do. I had fallen in love with the sport right then. After that, I got into my first sparring session and then from there on it was just history.” 

Before long, Rodriguez was writing his own name down in the pages of Salinas boxing history. As a 12-year-old, Rodriguez was already making waves on the national level in 2016. At the Junior Olympic National Championships in Dallas, Texas, Rodriguez claimed the silver medal. “That was one of my first tournaments fighting consecutively, day-after-day,” recalls Rodriguez. “That was a great experience for me.” 

Shortly after the tournament in Dallas, Rodriguez would go on to win his division in one of the biggest youth boxing tournaments in the country, the National Junior Golden Gloves in Mesquite, Nevada. For many fighters that achieve that level of success, the goal would soon become to make the U.S. Olympic squad or to go on to claim another national title. Rodriguez would end up taking a different path. 

“I took a break and stopped, so I’ll never know how big I could have got in the amateurs,” explains Rodriguez. “Everything happens for a reason and I think it was just me being more social in my personal life. I was making the change from elementary to middle school and I feel that is the time that people test the waters with new crowds. At the time, I felt I was burnt out and it was time to take a step back. For a while I didn’t want anything to do with boxing and I had no intentions to come back to boxing. But I would see all these kids that I would beat or I would train with in a good position in their careers and I would think I could be right there right now. That threw a little fire in me. So I thought maybe I should give it a try again.”

Even though Rodriguez gained a great level of success early in his amateur career, the Salinas native always believed he would be better suited to fight as a professional. “My big plan was always making it to the pros,” says Rodriguez. “I was never really an amateur type of guy. I feel the style I have is more of a pro style, more so than an amateur style. I did fight a couple more times in the amateurs, but that was more just to get the ring rust off. My main goal was always to become a pro and hopefully get a world title sooner or later.” 

A driving force in Rodriguez’ career has been his father Andres, who has trained him from the very beginning. It would take more than one chapter of a boxing history book to outline the successful father-son duos the sport has produced. For every success story, there are, of course, several more tandems whose story did not end as well. However, everything appears to be on track for the Rodriguez family. 

“We have a great relationship,” explains Rodriguez. “When my dad and I are in sync, I feel that there is no one that can stop us. Obviously we are going to bump heads here and there, that is only natural. But regardless, I know he only wants what is best for me and I know that is all he wants for me.” 

Ruben Villa, the same fighter that inspired Rodriguez to first pick up a pair of boxing gloves those years back, continues to be one of the key figures in his fighting career in the present day. 

“He plays a major role in my career,” Rodriguez says of Villa. “He is still my mentor to this day. Anytime I have questions or anytime I feel I need to express myself about boxing, I go to him. He will always give me advice and he never shies away. Now that I am older, I am able to train with him. Even today we are going to spar and I will get some rounds in with him.”

Villa (21-1, 7 KOs) has made the fighting town of Salinas proud, with the only blemish on his resume coming in the form of a highly-competitive decision defeat in a world title bout against the fearsome puncher Emanuel Navarette. 

“Just from him being from the same town, and not just for me, but I feel for a lot of people, he has shown that hard work will go a long way and that you should follow your dreams,” explains Rodriguez. “He only has that one loss and he never let that get the best of him. He didn’t shy away from the sport after that. He just kept training hard and right now he has a deal with Top Rank, so that just goes to show that hard work will always eventually pay off.” 

Rodriguez hopes to join Villa as a role model of success for those that follow them from their hometown. “Salinas has a good history in boxing and I am trying to help keep that going,” explains Rodriguez. “I want to show that if I can do it, anybody else can do it. I’ve had ups and downs in my life already and there are more ups and downs to come, but if I can make it through them, anybody can. That is the thing I am trying to portray to my family, my cousin and all the kids that look up to me.”

Rodriguez had been lined up to make his United States debut on several occasions over the last year. After winning his pro debut in Rosarito, Mexico in February and scoring his first knockout in Tijuana in April, Rodriguez saw California fights fall apart in July, November, December and earlier this month. On January 30th in San Jose, Rodriguez is ready to put on a show for his local supporters. 

“I would like to thank everyone that is supporting me, because without them I would not be where I am,” says Rodriguez. “I appreciate all their love and support. I know that they have been waiting to see me fight and, God willing, I will put on a great performance like I want to. I just want to show them that all this hard work has been put to good use. For the last about three years I have been perfecting my craft and now I am ready to make a statement. I am not in a rush, but I am ready to show my skills and I have been ready for a while now.” 

Tickets for the event, promoted by BLK Prime Boxing, are available online at eventcreate.com/e/tnfblkprime

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortegajr.mario@gmail.com 

By Mario Ortega Jr. (ringside)

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – Light heavyweight Tony Hernandez sent his local following home happy as he scored a workmanlike six-round unanimous decision over veteran Ramon Ayala to cap an eight-bout card at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Sacramento on Saturday night. 

Hernandez (6-3-1, 4 KOs) of Yuba City, California controlled the ring and outworked the more experienced Ayala (25-10-1, 13 KOs) of San Francisco Acuautla, Estado de Mexico, Mexico over the six rounds. 

The only real hiccup Hernandez, 172.3, encountered in the bout was when he was warned by referee Edward Collantes for a low blow early in the third. The stray punch sent Ayala, 172, down in pain and prompted a brief time-out. 

When action resumed, Hernandez continued to make the fight. Ayala, who turned professional nearly 18-years-ago, was more apt to showboat at times than to press the action in an attempt to win the rounds.

In the end, Hernandez claimed a shutout on the scorecards of ringside judges David Hartman and Mike Rinaldi, 60-54, while Michael Margado scored the bout 59-55. 

Former amateur star Steve Johnson Jr. (1-0, 1 KO) of San Francisco, California was just too much of everything for Phillip Ramirez (0-3) of Sacramento, scoring a first-round knockout in his professional debut. 

The beginning of the end came when Johnson, 124.1, landed with a clean left uppercut that sent Ramirez, 125, backing away. Soon thereafter Johnson landed a two-punch combination that concluded with a crisp left hook that sent Ramirez to a knee. Referee David Hartman waved it off at 1:50 of round one. Johnson announced to the crowd that he will be back in the ring on April 26th. 

In a battle of attrition, Islam Abdusamadov (2-0, 1 KO) of Santa Clara, California by way of Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia hung on to score a four-round unanimous decision over Juan Meza Moreno (4-5, 3 KOs) of Los Angeles, California.

Abdusamadov, 154.5, was the puncher in the fight, but as can sometimes happen when the puncher goes for a knockout that does not come, he punched himself out late and opened the door for a possible upset. 

Abdusamadov landed the harder punches from the outset, eventually dropping Moreno, 154.5, to the seat of his pants with a sweeping right hand just after the ten second warning at the end of the second round.

Moreno, without the power of his opponent, relied on his boxing skills and started to come on midway through the third stanza. After going for the kayo early, Abdusamadov looked drained by end of the third round. Moreno boxed well again in the fourth, occasionally absorbing something stiff from Abdusamadov in return. 

In the end, the knockdown Abdusamadov scored in the second was the difference in the scoring. All three judges; Mike Rinaldi, David Hartman and Edward Collantes scored the bout 38-37 for Abdusamadov. 

Undefeated lightweight prospect Kevin Montano (5-0, 3 KOs) of Concord, California stopped short-notice opponent David Minter (3-3, 3 KOs) of Lincoln, California in the second round of a bout contested just under the welterweight limit. 

Montano, 146, came out aggressively to start the second round. Ultimately, a flurry along the ropes punctuated by a short right dropped Minter, 146, to a knee. As referee Edward Collantes began his count, Minter signaled that he had taken enough, prompting the stoppage at 1:06 of round two. 

Victor Guerrero (7-0, 5 KOs) of Las Vegas, Nevada by way of Morgan Hill, California took a hard-fought four-round unanimous decision over Matthew Monroe (1-2) of Sacramento. 

Guerrero, 161, made his right hand the difference in the bout. Both fighters landed clean to close out the first round, but when Guerrero, 161, would land clean with his right, it just sounded different. Monroe, 158.1, had his moments in the fight, but never enough to sway the judges to tally one in his column. Guerrero swept the cards of Edward Collantes, David Hartman and Mike Rinaldi, 40-36. 

Julian Bridges (4-0, 2 KOs) of Antioch, California scored a four-round shutout decision over a game Miguel Soto-Garcia (0-2) of Fresno, California by way of Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico.

Soto-Garcia, 147, proved to be a durable and willing foe, but Bridges, 147, carried the rounds with his higher output and effective aggression. All three judges; Michael Margado, David Hartman and Mike Rinaldi, scored all four acts for Bridges, 40-36. 

In the curtain raiser, David Reyes (2-1, 1 KO) of Fresno scored a third-round stoppage of Cmaje Ramseur (2-3-1, 1 KO) of Elk Grove, California.

Reyes, 134, outworked and outlanded Ramseur, 134.2, from the early stages of the bout. After banking the first two rounds on the cards, Reyes forced Ramseur to the ropes with a flurry early in the third. Ramseur’s corner did not like what they were seeing and threw in the towel. Referee David Hartman acquiesced and stopped the contest 58 seconds into the third.

In an amateur bout, Madeline Day of Roseville, California bested Shanne Ruelas of Fresno over three entertaining rounds en route to a three-round unanimous decision. 

Day, 154, was more technically sound and her conditioning held up better down the stretch. Ruelas, 154, was game and willing over the six minutes. All three judges Michael Margado, Edward Collantes and Mike Rinaldi scored the shutout for Day, 30-27. 

Upper Cut Promotions, promoter of Saturday’s event, will return to the Gold Country Casino Resort in Oroville, California on April 26th. 

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortegajr.mario@gmail.com 

By Mario Ortega Jr. –

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – Light heavyweight action fighter Tony Hernandez headlines a prospect-laden card as he takes on veteran Ramon Ayala in the main event at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Sacramento on Saturday night. Fighters for the seven-bout card weighed-in early Friday afternoon at the host venue. 

Hernandez (5-3-1, 4 KOs) of Live Oak, California returns to the DoubleTree as he takes on an experienced gatekeeper Ayala (25-9-1, 13 KOs) of San Francisco Acuautla, Estado de Mexico, Mexico in a six-round light heavyweight clash. 

Hernandez, who weighed-in at 172.3-pounds on Friday, last fought in November in a majority draw against rugged Marco Delgado in Oroville, California. Ayala, who long ago was a super featherweight, scaled 172-pounds even. 

Undefeated prospect Kevin Montano (4-0, 2 KOs) of Concord, California will end a fifteen-month layoff when he meets local tough guy David Minter (3-2, 3 KOs) of Lincoln, California in a four-round welterweight bout. 

Montano may have been happier than most to see the calendar turn to 2024 as he saw his career stall last year due to fallouts and the cancellation of two entire events the week of his scheduled bouts. Montano, a Sacramento State graduate who now trains full-time out of the Capital City, had been slated to make his six-round debut before his original opponent was a late scratch. 

Minter is no stranger to the DoubleTree ring as he has fought his entire professional career at the hotel. The word “no” may not be in Minter’s vocabulary as he steps in on short notice to meet one of the top young fighters in the region for the second straight outing. Montano, who normally campaigns at lightweight, and Minter both scaled 146-pounds.

Victor Guerrero (6-0, 5 KOs) of Las Vegas, Nevada by way of Morgan Hill, California will take on Matthew Monroe (1-1) of Sacramento in a four-round middleweight bout. Guerrero, of the famed fighting family that put Gilroy, California on the boxing map, makes his United States debut on Saturday. Monroe, who scored his first professional victory with a hard-fought split decision over Marco Ortiz in November at light heavyweight, weighed-in at 158.1-pounds, while Guerrero came in at 161.

Islam Abdusamadov (1-0, 1 KO) of Santa Clara, California by way of Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia will meet Juan Meza Moreno (4-4, 3 KOs) of Los Angeles, California in a four-round light middleweight fight. Abdusamadov, a well-regarded amateur in his native Russia prior to turning pro, scaled 154.5-pounds. Moreno, who will be meeting his fifth consecutive opponent with no more than a single pro defeat, also weighed-in at at 154.5.

Julian Bridges (3-0, 2 KOs) of Antioch, California will take on Miguel Soto-Garcia (0-1) of Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico in a four-round welterweight bout. Bridges, returning to the DoubleTree ring where he scored his third pro victory, weighed-in at 147, as did Soto-Garcia. 

Former amateur standout Steve Johnson Jr. of San Francisco, California will make his highly anticipated professional debut in a four-round featherweight bout against Phillip Ramirez (0-2) of Sacramento. Johnson, who is now being trained by former world champion James Page, scaled 124.1-pounds. Ramirez, who has been matched tough his entire brief career, came in at 125.

Cmaje Ramseur (2-2-1, 1 KO) of Elk Grove, California will meet David Reyes (1-1) of Fresno, California in an evenly matched lightweight bout. Ramseur weighed-in at 134.2-pounds, while Reyes made 134 even.  

Quick Weigh-in Results:

Light heavyweights, 6 Rounds

Hernandez 172.3 

Ayala 172

Welterweights, 4 Rounds

Montano 146

Minter 146

Middleweights, 4 Rounds

Guerrero 161

Monroe 158.1

Light middleweights, 4 Rounds

Abdusamadov 154.5

Moreno 154.5

Welterweights, 4 Rounds

Bridges 147

Soto-Garcia 147

Featherweights, 4 Rounds

Johnson 124.1

Ramirez 125

Lightweights, 4 Rounds

Ramseur 134.2

Reyes 134

Tickets for the event, promoted by Upper Cut Promotions, are available online at uppercutpro.com or at the door. 

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortegajr.mario@gmail.com 

By Mario Ortega Jr. –

One month removed from Robert Guerrero’s unanimous decision win over Andre Berto, the next generation of fighting Guerreros from California’s Central Coast are poised to make their mark as they showcase their talents before their home state fans in the coming days. On January 30th, Jesse James Guerrero will take to the ring in San Jose. Getting the jump on his cousin, Victor Guerrero returns to the ring to make his United States debut this coming Saturday night as he takes on Matthew Monroe at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Sacramento. 

Guerrero (6-0, 5 KOs) of Las Vegas, Nevada by way of Morgan Hill, California launched his pro career in Mexico in 2019. After years of plying his trade on the road, the young Guerrero is excited to showcase his talents before his local supporters this weekend. 

“Sacramento is only about two hours from my hometown of Gilroy, so I have a lot of family and friends that are going to come out and support,” says Guerrero. “It pushes me that little extra to put on a performance for everyone out there and to make them proud. Obviously, fighting out there in Mexico, it was a pretty long drive, but right there in Sacramento, that is pretty much my backyard, so I am grateful to Upper Cut Promotions for this opportunity and having me on the card. I am ready to make my hometown proud and I am very excited.”

By design, Guerrero would have made his debut in the States last year, if it were not for a bit of bad luck. As can be the case, several fights fell out on short notice. Guerrero’s last scheduled bout in November was canceled by the threat of rain in Fresno. 

“It is just part of the game,” explains Guerrero. “Fights get canceled. I just get ready and stay in the gym. I train year-round. I stay out here in Vegas, training with a lot of the big names out here. I got a lot of good work and I feel that I have improved, even though I didn’t get to fight and show the people [those improvements.] On January 20th, I am ready to show what I have been working for and that all this training has been for a reason.”

Despite not getting the opportunity to add to his official record in 2023, Guerrero continued his development as a fighter by gaining ring experience in the gym with top fighters and trainers. “I have been training out of Pound 4 Pound in Vegas and they have a lot of good guys there,” says Guerrero. “I was in camp with Carlos Adames this summer, getting him ready for one of his fights. I got a lot of good experience working with him and learning from him. I was grateful to be a part of his camp. I was also working with Sports Illustrated Trainer of the Year Bob Santos as well. So being in there with those experienced guys, I feel like I learned a lot. I feel like I added a lot of tools to my arsenal and now I am ready to show out.” 

Guerrero, the grandson of respected trainer Ruben Sr. and nephew of former world champion Robert, is trained by his father and former fighter himself Victor Guerrero Sr. Many of the most successful fighters in recent history have been trained by their fathers. At times it can be a difficult dynamic to navigate, but the young Guerrero is grateful to have his father guiding him.

“For the most part it has been great,” explains Guerrero. “We are undefeated right now and we are going to keep the streak going. There’s times that we bump heads, but that is only natural for a father-son. My dad pushes me and I like that he pushes me. There have been things that I wasn’t comfortable with yet and he shows me and guides me. He’s been in the ring as well, so he understands what to expect. Me and my dad’s relationship, we’ve always been close but sharing the sport of boxing together brings us even that much closer. I am thankful to have him in my corner. We are going to keep on rising from this fight on.”

Victor is just one of young pugilists the Guerrero family has in the pipeline. “It is exciting,” says Victor. “We’ve got Jesse. His fight got pushed back to the 30th, but he’s been training extremely hard. He was in camp out here in Vegas too for a little bit. We’ve got my cousin, little Robert, he’s on the come up as well. He should be turning pro in March, so I am excited for that. We can’t really get work like that in the ring, because I am a little bigger than them, but I go with them when they get sparring and they are coming along really good. I’ve even got my little brother Andre, he just turned twelve yesterday, so he’s a little guy, but he’s coming up too. We are the next generation and we are ready to take over the sport of boxing. Pretty soon the whole world will know who us Guerreros are.”

In addition to making his home state debut, Guerrero will be taking on a southpaw for the first time as a professional on Saturday. However, Guerrero feels well prepared as he heads into battle against Monroe. 

“I’ve been sparring a lot of southpaws out here in Vegas,” explains Guerrero. “That is the good thing about Vegas, you see every type of style: southpaws, orthodox, awkward guys. I’ve been sparring a few different southpaws here and my uncle Robert is a southpaw too, so he’s been showing me some things on how to move with a southpaw, what to do and what not to do. So I feel really good and confident going into this fight. I am just ready to go.”

After a year of training without the reward of stepping into the ring under the bright lights, Guerrero is primed and ready to get his career rolling again beginning this Saturday in Sacramento. 

“After this fight, we are going to just keep going,” says Guerrero. I have a fight lined up in San Jose after this one, so I will probably take a couple days off and then get right back to it. I hope to fight at least 4 or 5 times this year to help make up for the fights I didn’t have this past year. I want to stay active and I want to stay busier. That’s the goal this year. In 2024 we are going to come out with a bang.”

Tickets for the event, promoted by Upper Cut Promotions, are available online at uppercutpro.com 

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortegajr.mario@gmail.com 

By Mario Ortega Jr. (Ringside)

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA  — The former unified lightweight champion Devin Haney impressed in his 140-pound debut, issuing Regis Prograis the most one-sided defeat of his career en route to claiming the WBC light welterweight title before his hometown crowd.

Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) of Las Vegas, Nevada was just too much of everything for Prograis (29-2, 24 KOs) of Houston, Texas by way of New Orleans, Louisiana over the twelve rounds.

After a feeling out opening stanza, the fight was all Haney. In the second round, Haney, 140, began to find the angles he needed to land, which he did with one right uppercut in particular.

Early in the third, Haney scored a knockdown with a lead right over the top of Prograis’ guard.

Prograis, 139, came out for the fourth on steady legs, but the challenger continued to give him a boxing lesson as the fight wore on. Haney landed a crisp one-two combination to punctuate the fourth round.

Haney continued to blister Prograis with combinations in the fifth round, while also putting some money in the bank via a body attack.

The one-two worked again for Haney as he rocked Prograis back on his heels with less than a minute to go in the sixth.

The pace slowed in the seventh, with Prograis was unwilling to let his hands go. The referee and the ringside doctor took a long look in the Prograis’ corner prior to the eighth.

Haney led the action in the eighth and ninth, but with less and less to counter, the Bay Area native was content to box and move. With a minute to go in the ninth, Prograis over extended himself with a left and Haney made him pay with a clubbing right that excited the crowd.

Haney seemed satisfied sending the bout to the cards as he exhibited some flashy defense in the championship rounds, but never pressed for the stoppage as he outboxed Prograis from bell-to-bell.

In the end, all three judges scored the shutout for Haney, 120-107. The question now is where does Haney go next. 140-pounds is one of the deepest divisions in boxing, but the Haneys have already floated designs on the welterweight division. Promoter Eddie Hearn floated the name of Ryan Garcia after the bout, but that seems like an unlikely prospect.

In the final appetizer before the main event, WBO #11 ranked light welterweight Liam Paro scored two knockdowns early in the sixth en route to stopping Montana Love midway through the round.

Paro (24-0, 15 KOs) of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia and Love (18-1-1, 9 KOs) of Cleveland, Ohio fought on even terms early in the fight. There was not much to distinguish the two as the boo birds derided the lack of early action. 

Things heated up a bit more late in the fifth, but it was the sixth where the fight took a quick turn. Paro, 140, landed clean with a left uppercut that sent Love, 140, to the seat of his pants for the first knockdown. 

When action resumed, Paro moved in aggressively, eventually landing a straight left that sent Love down for a second time. Love made it to his feet, but when Paro forced him into a neutral corner with a flurry, Love covered up for too long for referee Thomas Taylor’s liking. The referee stopped the fight at 1:49 of round six.

With the win, Paro, who had a scheduled title bout against Regis Prograis slip between his fingers due to injury earlier this year, claimed the vacant regional WBO Intercontinental 140-pound title.

Cruz Takes out Straffon in 3

Fast-rising lightweight prospect Andy Cruz (2-0, 1 KO) of Miami, Florida by way of Matanzas, Matanzas, Cuba completely steamrolled normally durable Jovanni Straffon (26-6-1, 19 KOs) of Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico en route to a third-round stoppage. 

Cruz, 134.4, let loose with both hands from the opening bell. It was all Straffon, 134, could do to weather the onslaught. The second round was especially one-sided, as Cruz straffed Straffon with everything in his arsenal.

Early in the third round, Cruz pressed Straffon into a neutral corner, landing clean with both hands. Having seen enough of the mismatch, referee Edward Collantes leaped in to stop the bout at :53 of the third round. 

With the win, Cruz successfully defended his IBF International lightweight title and claimed the vacant WBA Continental Latin America lightweight title. 

Yoshida Upsets Bridges to Claim Bantamweight Title

Coming in on short notice, Miyo Yoshida (17-4) of New York, New York by way of Kagoshima, Kagoshima, Japan upset media darling Ebanie Bridges (9-2, 4 KOs) of New South Wales, Australia to claim the IBF bantamweight championship by ten-round unanimous decision. 

Yoshida, 117.6, was in the face of the champion Bridges, 117.8, from the get-go and never took a backward step. Yoshida, despite having campaigned mainly in the 115-pound super flyweight division throughout her career, looked like the bigger fighter and landed the harder shots.

Bridges, fighting for the first time in a year with a surgically-repaired right hand,  never was able to force Yoshida into any sort of retreat and ate the more eye-catching shots as they exchanged throughout a fight fought completely on the inside. 

Yoshida, who entered the ring as the IBF #10 ranked bantamweight and had fought just one month ago in a losing effort to Shurretta Metcalf, closed out the fight strong and raised her hands in celebration as the final bell rang. In the end, all three judges scored the fight wide for Yoshida by scores of 97-93 and 99-91 twice

Middleweight prospect Amari Jones (11-0, 10 KOs) of Las Vegas by way of Oakland, California was impressive in his Bay Area homecoming as he stopped tough veteran Quilisto Madera (14-5, 9 KOs) of Stockton, California in the fifth-round. 

Jones, 159.2 controlled Madera, 160, in the opening round with his jab. As the fight progressed into round three, Jones’ right hand came more into play and became the dominant punch of the fight. 

The end of round four got Jones’ home crowd excited as a right hand snapped Madera’s head back against the turnbuckle and set off an exchange along the ropes. 

Jones picked right up where he left off early in the fifth. With Jones landing clean, two-handed combinations as Madera backed against the ropes, referee Thomas Taylor leaped in to stop the fight. Official time of the stoppage was 1:44 of the fifth round. 

Beatriz Ferreira (4-0, 2 KOs) of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil saw her own blood for the first time as a professional en route to an eight-round stoppage of a game Destiny Jones (5-2, 2 KOs) of Austin, Texas.

Ferreira, 130, found a willing opponent in Jones, 129.8, who had her moments throughout the bout. Ferreira is just a fearless punching machine and Jones had to work hard to keep pace. Twice Ferreira knocked Jones’ mouthpiece out, once with a right late in the second and again in the fourth.

After Jones drew blood with an accidental elbow late in round four, Ferreira seemed more determined to go for the stoppage as the fight progressed. Ferreira eventually landed with a sweeping left hook with seconds to go in round seven that dropped Jones, who was leaning that way.

At the beginning of round eight, Jones did not react well when asked to touch gloves and referee Edward Collantes asked the doctor for a look. On the advice of the doctor, Collantes stopped the bout. Official time of stoppage was :05 of round eight.

In the opening bout, Shamar Canal (7-0, 4 KOs) of Albany, New York continued his rise with a dominant six-round unanimous decision over veteran Jose Antonio Meza (8-9, 2 KOs) of Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico. 

Canal, 132, had too many dimensions for the durable Meza. After comfortably outboxing Meza, 131.8, over the early rounds, Canal pressed on the gas in the last two and finally broke through with a straight right that dropped the Mexican native late in the sixth. All three judges were in agreement on the shutout, 60-53.

By Mario Ortega Jr. –

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – Devin Haney, until recently the unified lightweight champion, aims to make a splash in his junior welterweight debut as he takes on one of the most avoided 140-pound title holders in Regis Prograis Saturday night at the Chase Center on pay-per-view. The twelve-round fight, which headlines a seven-bout card emanating from the home of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors, also marks a homecoming for the San Francisco-bred Haney, who has never before fought in the Bay Area. Fighters weighed-in on Friday at the venue and continued a week of contentious back-and-forth. 

In the lead-up to the fight, bad blood has spilled over as Devin’s father-coach Bill Haney and Prograis’ strength coach Evins Tobler have debated everything from who grew up on the harder streets to which of their main event fighters has real punching power.

In their final face-off on Friday, Haney and Prograis took the lead in the heated back-and-forth between the camps. No one came to blows, but the animosity seemed legitimate as the two shouted each other down in an expletive-laden exchange. 

Haney (30-0, 15 KOs) of Las Vegas, Nevada closed out his lightweight campaign and solidified his standing among the pound-for-pound elite in his last bout as he scored a hotly-contested unanimous decision over former three-division ruler Vasyl Lomachenko in May. Just over a week ago, Haney relinquished all four of his 135-pound belts to signify his focus on an already crowded junior welterweight division. Haney weighed-in at 140-pounds on Friday.

Prograis (29-1, 24 KOs) of Houston, Texas by way of New Orleans, Louisiana was last in the ring in June as he had a tougher-than-expected time moving past once-beaten late replacement Danielito Zorrilla in the first defense of his WBC title reign. In an admittedly poor performance, Prograis, who was making his hometown return, struggled to close the distance and cut-off the ring against Zorrilla en route to a split decision. Prograis came in at 139-pounds Friday.

In the chief supporting bout, WBO #11 ranked light welterweight Liam Paro takes on Montana Love in a ten-round bout. Paro (23-0, 14 KOs) of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia was the opponent that had to withdraw from the June title bout against Prograis in New Orleans when he injured his Achilles tendon a month before the scheduled clash. Six months later, Paro auditions for another title opportunity, while Love seeks a different type of redemption. Love (18-1-1, 9 KOs) of Cleveland, Ohio was an emerging contender at 140-pounds before he was dropped and frustrated to the point of forcing a blatant disqualification in his bout against unheralded Steve Spark last November. 

In a bout for the regional WBO Intercontinental lightweight title, Paro and Love both weighed-in at 140-pounds. 

Highly touted lightweight prospect Andy Cruz (1-0) of Miami, Florida by way of Matanzas, Matanzas, Cuba will meet Jovanni Straffon (26-5-1, 19 KOs) of Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico in a ten-round bout. Cruz will be defending the regional IBF International lightweight title he impressively claimed in his pro debut over respected veteran Juan Carlos Burgos in July. Straffon figures to be a sturdy test for Cruz’ second pro opponent, considering the Mexican native went the twelve-round distance with Maxi Hughes and ended the career of former title challenger James Tennyson by first-round knockout in 2021. 

In a bout also for the vacant WBA Continental Latin America title, Straffon came in at 134 even. Cruz, a 2020 Cuban Olympian gold medalist, scaled 134.4-pounds. 

Ebanie Bridges (9-1, 4 KOs) of New South Wales, Australia seeks to make the second defense of her IBF bantamweight title against late replacement Miyo Yoshida (16-4) of New York, New York by way of Kagoshima, Kagoshima, Japan in a ten-round bout. Bridges had been slated to meet IBF #11 ranked Avril Mathie until an injury late last month forced her fellow Aussie to withdraw. 

Bridges was last in the ring one year ago as scored an eighth-round stoppage of Shannon O’Connell in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. In the time since, Bridges nursed a surgically-repaired right hand and began training under Dave Coldwell.  Yoshida, the IBF #10 ranked bantamweight, fought just a month ago, coming up short to Shurretta Metcalf in her 118-pound debut. Bridges, who, as always, was not camera shy while hitting the scales, came in at 117.8-pounds.

Yoshida, a former WBO super flyweight champion, weighed-in at 117.6. 

Beatriz Ferreira (3-0, 1 KO) of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil will take on Destiny Jones (5-1, 2 KOs) of Austin, Texas in an eight-round super featherweight bout. Ferreira, a 2020 Brazilian Olympian and former international amateur standout, weighed-in at 130-pounds. Jones, stepping up to the eight-round distance for the first time, scaled 129.8-pounds.  

Shamar Canal (6-0, 4 KOs) of Albany, New York will take on veteran Jose Antonio Meza (8-8, 2 KOs) of Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico in a six-round featherweight fight. Canal, promoted by Devin Haney Promotions, was last in the ring in October, scoring a second-round knockout in Colima, Mexico. Meza last saw action in September, fighting to a double disqualification against Leonardo Padilla. Canal weighed-in at 132-pounds, while Meza made 131.8-pounds. 

Middleweight prospect Amari Jones (10-0, 9 KOs) of Las Vegas by way of Oakland, California will make a step-up against veteran Quilisto Madera (14-4, 9 KOs) of Stockton, California in an eight-round bout. Jones, promoted by Devin Haney Promotions, last fought in October, scoring a first-round stoppage in Colima, Mexico. Madera, a nine-year pro, is hoping to rebound from an eight-round decision loss to Kevin Newman II in August. Jones, who like Haney is making his Bay Area debut as a professional, weighed-in at 159.2-pounds.

Madera, who refused to attend the pre-fight press conference on Thursday, citing bad blood, scaled 160-pounds.

Quick Weigh-in Results:

WBC Light Welterweight Championship, 12 Rounds

Prograis 139

Haney 140 

WBO Intercontinental Light Welterweight Championship, 10 Rounds

Paro 140

Love 140 

IBF International Lightweight Championship

WBA Continental Latin America Lightweight Championship, 10 Rounds

Cruz 134.4

Straffon 134

IBF Bantamweight Championship, 10 Rounds

Bridges 117.8

Yoshida 117.6

Super featherweights, 8 Rounds

Ferreira 130

Jones 129.8

Super featherweights, 6 Rounds

Canal 132

Meza 131.8

Middleweights, 8 Rounds

Jones 159.2

Madera 160

Tickets for the event, promoted by Matchroom Boxing, Devin Haney Promotions and Rougarou Promotions, are available online at Ticketmaster.com 

Photos by Ed Mulholland/Matchroom Boxing 

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortegajr.mario@gmail.com 

By Mario Ortega Jr. –

While wrapping up his training camp, Hancel Gonzalez suffered an injury that forced him to pull out of the scheduled eight-round Combate Space main event against veteran contender Ve Shawn Owens, which was to take place this Saturday at the Arena Ring Central in Mexico City, Mexico. 

Owens (14-3, 12 KOs) of Minneapolis, Minnesota was going to give up weight and natural size against the larger Gonzalez. Now, stepping in for the Colombian Gonzalez, will be a more natural welterweight in Heriberto Flores (10-0, 9 KOs) of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. 

Preparing for Saturday’s originally scheduled bout, Owens made the sacrifices that fighters make, stunting celebrations for Thanksgiving and his son’s birthday, which both took place last week. 

“It is a sacrifice, it is,” Owens explained. “I couldn’t do everything I actually wanted to do for my son’s birthday. I couldn’t really do as much as I wanted to do for Thanksgiving. Both of those days I was training and working. That is just the thing with this career. You are going to have to make sacrifices. It is a good thing that I have a good team behind me. When I say team, I mean support system. My family really understands. When it is fight time, they understand I am going to push it. They get it. It is hard, but everyone gets what I am trying to do.”

Coming off a career-best performance in decisioning once-beaten Kudratillo Abdukakhorov in February, Owens fielded some offers in the time since, but wanted to keep this date in Mexico. 

“I’ve gotten lots of offers,” explained Owens on Friday, shortly after arriving in Mexico, but before the opponent change. “Lots and lots of offers. Some of them were a bit ridiculous. Some were actually really good, but I was already really dedicated to this one. I don’t want to back-up from my word. I made a commitment to this one.”

Another component playing a part in Owens’ ten-month layoff, and the decision take this fight, is that his long-time head trainer Sankara Frazier has been slowed by a health issue. 

“Our head coach is kind of sick and going through a few things right now and putting our careers on hold,” explains Owens. “I told him, these people and our teammate in Mexico are serious. There’s not much we can really do right now and I am not getting any younger. I am 32, so I can’t keep on waiting.”

Many of Owens’ biggest fights have been televised by Showtime. With the network concluding its long association with boxing at the end of the year, keeping Saturday’s date in Mexico has added importance. 

“This year, has been kind of tough, just being active,” says Owens. “I understand changes are going on, and Al Haymon has a few tricks up his sleeve, but he’s going to need some time. I want to stay on that hot streak, so when everything with PBC takes effect, I can get going hot.”

Owens represents a huge step up in class for Flores. In his last bout, Flores stepped up to the scheduled ten-round distance for the first time and stopped fellow unbeaten Eduardo Sanchez in nine. Prior to that win in Costa Rica, all of Flores’ bouts had come against soft opposition in Mexico. 

Regardless of the opponent change, Owens aims for the same planned result as he continues his rise in the welterweight division on Saturday night. 

“Hopefully it gets me closer to the top ten in the world,” says Owens. “As far as the future, I don’t really want to speak too much on that. I want to focus on what’s in front of me right now, so I don’t want to talk about this and that. My main objective is this guy right now.”

Tickets for the event, promoted by Producciones Deportivas and televised throughout Latin America on Space, are available at the venue. 

Photo by Esther Lin/Showtime 

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortegajr.mario@gmail.com 

By Mario Ortega Jr. –

Welterweight contender Ve Shawn Owens will return to the ring this Saturday night as he takes on Colombian Hancel Gonzalez at the Arena Ring Central in Mexico City, Mexico. The eight-round bout marks Owens’ first ring appearance since his eye-opening victory over Kudratillo Abdukakhorov on Showtime in February. 

Owens had been a familiar face in the mix from 140 to 154-pounds dating back to 2018. After coming up short against elite opposition, Owens rose to the occasion in his native Minneapolis, Minnesota and broke through with the dominant ten-round unanimous decision over Abdukakhorov. 

As Owens’ tells it, the main change that led to his sterling performance in February was mental. “Honestly, it was more of a mindshift,” says Owens. “In the beginning phases, I was really hungry to be a world champion. Then life took full blown advantage of my career. When it came to taking some fights, it was more the fact that I needed money. I needed the money and I wasn’t really serious. But this one, I felt like I could really be something. That hunger that I had in my youth is back.”

The highly touted Abdukakhorov was hoping to rebound from his lone defeat by getting past Owens in their Showtime-televised encounter. However, Owens had been eyeing the Uzbekistani native for some time.

“This guy, I watched him fight twice, and when I saw him fight, I knew I could beat him,” remembers Owens. “Then ironically, in 2021, I had a few fights that dropped and I needed a break. I had a family member that had passed. I really needed to get my life together and then I get the call to fight this guy. I looked at him and [excitedly] said set that up. I knew I could beat him and then a year later they gave me that offer. I remembered his style; how he feints, how he reacts to certain things. And it all worked.”

A self-described student of the game, Owens (14-3, 12 KOs) has taken the same approach heading into what some may see as a stay-busy bout against the unknown Hancel Gonzalez (11-2, 9 KOs). 

“I picked up on a few things, and the things I picked up are the reasons why I want to go forward with it,” says Owens. “That one fight when he got stopped, that was a big thing, because I noticed in another fight, he would get caught with that same shot, but the second guy didn’t have the strength to get him down. I noticed his feet. He’s not going to be one of those guys that move around. He’s going to sit there and be a big target for me. We all know I love big targets. I have a huge gameplan for him, as long as he can make the weight.”

Weight is one of the main stories heading into this bout, much as it has been throughout Owens’ career. After the win against Abdukakhorov, Owens’ has decided to stake his place in the 147-pound welterweight division. Having ventured up to 154 to meet the challenge of the largest junior middleweight of recent memory, Sebastian Fundora, as well as sliding down to 140 to take on current titleholder Alberto Puello, Owens is putting his yo-yo away moving forward. 

“Nothing is throwing me off,” proclaims Owens. “My A-game is here. I feel like I should have been here. I should have been staying at 147. I feel amazing at this weight class.”

Gonzalez’ relationship with the scale has seen him see action in the light heavyweight and super middleweight divisions in recent bouts. Owens and his team will be insistent that the Colombian weighs within a few pounds of the welterweight limit at Friday’s weigh-in. 

“The only thing that is of my concern is the weight thing,” explains Owens. “As long as he can make the weight. I’m giving him a few pounds, but if he can’t do that, then we can’t.”

Gonzalez, who has looked at home physically while competing in the higher weight classes, will have an audience when he steps on the scale. “My team is on it,” explains Owens. “We are going to have eyes on there. I am not doing that anymore, fighting guys out of my weight class. I am not doing that anymore. I want to prioritize my career and the avenue that I want to go. No more silly stuff. I am not doing that anymore.”

Owens, a long-time drawing card in Minnesota, looks forward to putting on for the people in Mexico and those watching the broadcast around the world.

“I have a love for Mexico City,” says Owens. “I love the atmosphere and the people. They are going to see the fundamentals, but also that explosiveness. They are going to see a lot of fireworks.”

Tickets for the event, promoted by Producciones Deportivas and televised throughout Latin America on Space, are available at the venue. 

Photo by Esther Lin/Showtime 

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortegajr.mario@gmail.com