TACOMA, Wash. (August 27, 2023) – A sold-out crowd of nearly 2,000 fans enjoyed a memorable night of boxing last night, presented by Toro Promotions, Inc. and Whitfield Haydon Boxing, at the famed Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington.

“I will remember this show for a long, long time,” co-promoter Whit Haydon said. “It was a special night that I will have a hard time forgetting and that same sentiment was imparted to me as well by many others in the building”

Boxing spotlight back to the Great Northwest and rising super featherweight prospect Austin Brooks (11-0, 4 KOs), making his debut as a headliner in his first scheduled 10-round fight versus dangerous Anthony Chavez (11-4-1, 3 KOs) in the main event.

The 27-year-old Brooks, fighting out of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, stepped up in class against Chavez, a 2015 USA National Championships bronze medalist as an amateur.

Brooks, who has already fought several times on the ESPN platform, cemented his reputation as a rising star with an electric knockout of Chavez in the sixth round, culminating an epic evening of boxing at Emerald Queen.

Brooks vs. Chavez was a strategic battle that abruptly ended in the sixth round, when Brooks connected trapped Chavez Chavez in a corner with his hands down. Brooks, a southpaw, cracked Chavez with a powerful left that sent Chavez to the canvas. He was able to beat the count, however, Brooks attacked his dazed opponent, unloading a barrage of unanswered punches until referee Joel Scobee waved off the fight.

The co-featured event couldn’t have been more evenly matched as Seattle featherweight Gregory Cruz (5-2-1, 3 KOs) and Roberto Negrete (4-2-1, 2 KOs) fought to a six-round split-draw. Cruz and Negrete traded blows from start to finish, throwing more than 1500 combined punches, according to a ringside statistician, in an immensely entertaining confrontation.

Undefeated Portland super lightweight prospect Lorenza Caldera (7-0, 4 KOs) responded in a positive manner in the stiffest test of his young pro career, stopping Filipino veteran boxer Jake “D’ Twins” Bornea (14-5-1, 7 KOs), the former WBO Asia Pacific Youth Flyweight Champion, in the second round.

Fan favorite Joshua Cadena (2-0, 1 KO), a lightweight fighting out of nearby Auburn (WA), much to the delight of his many supporters on hand, took an impressive four-round unanimous decision from a gritty Dan Hernandez (2-3, 1 KO) in a war of attrition that was like an old fashioned “barn-burner.” The back-and-forth, action-packed fight was compelling for the pumped-up fans who were on their collective feet throughout the entire four rounds, in which Cadena showcased his tremendous skills, energetic style, and promising potential.

Undefeated Puerto Rican welterweight prospect Axl Melendez Salgado (7-0, 4 KOs) kept his unblemished pro record intact, although highly questionable work by referee Louis Jackvony tarnished the outcome versus Tulsa welterweight Lyle McFarlane (2-2, 1 KO).

The competitive match-up was marred by the referee’s overshadowing of the two boxers, ruling three dubious – at best – deductions against McFarlane. Salgado was leading fairly comfortably when Jackvony waved off the fight in the fourth round, unfairly declaring a win for Salgado by disqualification, resulting in a chorus of boos from fans.

Detroit super lightweight Wesley Rivers (1-3) pulled off a mild upset, winning three of four rounds on each of the three judges’ scorecards for a four-round unanimous decision victory over Richard Ray Howell (4-3-2, 2 KOs), of San Antonio (TX). The evenly matched fight was clearly headed to being a draw when Rivers registered a late knockdown for the win.

Compton (CA) super lightweight Angel Rebollar (7-3, 3 KOs) and super lightweight Esteban Munoz (7-4, 4 KOs) set the pace and tone for the evening in the opening bout. Rebollar, who was a 2019 USA Western Regional Junior Open Champion as an amateur, and Chavez stood toe-to-toe, pounding each other from the opening bell to the end of this rare five-round match, which ended in a split decision for Rebollar.

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Complete results below:

OFFICIAL RESULTS

MAIN EVENTS – SUPER FEATHERWEIGHTS

Austin Brooks (11-0, 4 KOs), Coeur d’Alene, ID

WTKO6 (2:43)

Anthony Chavez (11-4-1, 3 KOs), San Bernardino, CA

CO-FEATURE – FEATHERWEIGHTS

Gregory Cruz (5-2-1, 3 KOs), Seattle, WA

SD6 (58-56, 57-57, 56-58)

Roberto Negrete (4-1-2, 2 KOs), West Liberty, IA

WELTERWEIGHTS

Axl Melendez Salgado (7-0, 4 KOs), Ceiba, Puerto Rico

WDQ4 (1:46)

Ean Hernandez (2-3, 1 KO), Riverside, CA

SUPER LIGHTWEIGHTS

Lorenzo Caldera (7-0, 3 KOs), Portland, OR

WTKO2 (1:19)

Jake Bornea (14-6-1, 7 KOs), General Santos City, Cotabato del Sur, Philippines

Wesley Rivers (2-3, 0 KOs), Detroit, MI

WUDEC4 (39-36, 39-36, 39-36)

Richard Ray Howell (4-4-2, 2 KOs), San Antonio, TX

Angel Rebollar (7-3, 3 KOs), Compton, CA

WSDEC5 (49-46, 49-46, 47-48)

Esteban Munoz (7-4, 4 KOs), San Bernardino, CA

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Josue Cadena (1-0, 1 KO), Auburn, WA

WUDEC4 (40-36, 40-36, 39-36)

Dan Hernandez (2-2, 1 KO), Riverside, CA

LOS ANGELES (August 22, 2023) – The boxing spotlight shifts back to the Great Northwest this Saturday night as rising super featherweight star  Austin Brooks (10-0, 3 KOs) takes on dangerous Anthony Chavez (11-3-1, 3 KOs) in the 10-round main event on a highly competitive pro card, presented by Toro Promotions, Inc. and Whitfield Haydon Boxing, at the famed Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington.

“This card sticks with our theme of compelling regional fights along with club wars,” Haydon said. “More than a couple guys have a chance to get a verdict from the great jury that is the northwest boxing fan and see if they can create a fan base for themselves going forward.”

Brooks, 27, is stepping up in class against Chavez, a 2015 USA National Championships bronze medalist as an amateur, has yet to fight more than six rounds to date. Fighting out of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Brooks, who has already fought several times on the ESPN platform, is coming off a six-round decision over veteran Diuhl Olguin this past March in San Diego.

Chavez, an old-fashioned fighter out of  San Bernardino, California, is trained by well-known Southern Californian Henry Ramirez, who guided Chris Arreola and Josesito Lopez, among the more notables. Two fights ago, Chavez won a six-round majority decision over Olguin.

The six-round, co-featured event pits Seattle featherweight Gregory Cruz (5-2, 3 KOs) against Roberto Negrete (4-1-1, 2 KOs), of West Liberty, Iowa. Cruz is bouncing back from a six-round majority loss to Luis Gallegos (4-0) last April, while Negrete fought to a six-round split draw in his most recent action this past June.

Chief undercard support will be provided by undefeated Portland super lightweight prospect Lorenza Caldera (6-0, 3 KOs) and Filipino veteran boxer Jake “D’ Twins” Bornea (14-5-1, 7 KOs), the former WBO Asia Pacific Youth Flyweight titleholder.

Angel Rebollar (6-3, 3 KOs) is coming straight out of Compton (CA) to face San Bernardino (CA) super lightweight Esteban Munoz (7-3, 4 KOs) in a rare five-round bout. Rebollar was a 2019 USA Western Regional Junior Open Champion as an amateur.

Also fighting on the undercard, each in four-round matches, is Auburn, Washington lightweight Joshua Cadena (1-0, 1 KO), vs. Dan Hernandez (2-2, 1 KO), of Riverside, California; undefeated Puerto Rican welterweight prospect Axl Melendez Salgado (6-0, 4 KOs) vs. Tulsa’s Lyle McFarlane (2-1 1 KO), and San Antonio (TX) super lightweight Richard Ray Howell (4-3-2, 2 KOs) vs. Detroit’s Wesley Rivers (1-3).

Card subject to change.

Reasonably priced at $100.00, $60.00, and $40.00, tickets may be purchased by calling (253) 594-7777 or at www.Emeraldqueen.com.

LOS ANGELES (August 9, 2023) – An exciting regional battle pitting undefeated super featherweight prospect Austin Brooks (10-0, 3 KOs) versus Anthony Chavez (11-3-1, 3 KOs), in the 10-round main event on a solid top-to-bottom card, presented by Toro Promotions, Inc. and Whitfield Haydon Boxing, on Saturday night, August 26, at the famed Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington.

Austin Brooks

The 27-year-old Brooks, fighting out of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, is a rising star in the 130-pound weight class, who has fought a few times on the ESPN platform. He has yet to fight more than six rounds in any of his pro fights to date.

“I feel blessed for the opportunity to be fighting in the main event,” Brooks remarked. “To get my first 10-round fight against a quality opponent and in the main event is something I’ve been working towards. I will capitalize on this moment.”

The more experienced Chavez, representing Redlands, California, was a bronze medalist at the 2015 USA National Championships. He is a throwback fighter who is trained by the highly respected Henry Ramirez.

A rare match-up featuring two undefeated prospects, Jon Bryant (8-0, 2 KOs) and Axl Melendez Salgado (6-0, 4 KOs), will square off in the six-round, co-featured event. Fighting out of Bremerton (WA), Bryant is coming off an impressive six-round decision win over veteran DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley (52-35-1, 28 KOs), the former World Boxing Organization (WBO) Light Welterweight World Champion.

“We are very excited to be back at the Emerald Queen Casino,” promoter Azat Torosyan (Toro Promotions) said. “Tacoma, we are crafting another unforgettable show filled with intense action.”

On the undercard in six-round matches, Seattle featherweight Gregory Cruz (5-2, 3 KOs) faces Roberto Negrete (4-1-1, 2 KOs), undefeated Portland super lightweight will take on Filipino Jake “D’ Twins” Bornea (14-5-1, 7 KOs), the former WBO Asia Pacific Youth Flyweight titleholder, and Fife (WA) super middleweight Cameron “The Puerto Rican Bakugo” Seville Rivera meets tough, upset-minded Antonio “Ton The Beast” Hernandez (7-16-2, 4 KOs). The opening bout of the evening will showcase lightweight hopeful Josue Cadena in a good test against California club fighter Dan Hernandez (2-2, 1 KO).

Card subject to change.

Tickets for the event are priced at $100.00, $60.00, and $40.00, and may be purchased by calling (253) 594-7777 or at www.Emeraldqueen.com.

Former world title challenger Egidijus Kaviauskas stopped Mikael Zewski in in round eight of their scheduled 10-round welterweight bout at the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas.

In round three, Kavaliauskas started to swell under his right eye.

In round eight, Kavaliauskas landed a huge right uppercut that hurt Zewski badly. Kavaliauskas jumped on Zewski and put him down with about 10 unanswered punches. Kavaliauskas came out in round eight and landed a booming right in the opening seconds that put Zewski down again, and the fight was stopped at seven seconds.

Zewski was ahead on two cards 67-65 and Kavaliauskas was ahead 67-65 on the other card at the time of the stoppage.

Kavaliauskas, 146.5 lbs of Lithuania is now 22-1-1 with 18 knockouts. Zewski, 147 lbs of Trois-Rivieries, CAN is 34-2.

Kavaliauskas said, “I was controlling the fight. I was never in danger. I was never hurt.
 
“I wanted to knock him out faster, but it happened this way. You can never count on the knockout. I was working. I was putting pressure on him. I saw him slowing down round by round. I saw him getting weaker and weaker. I was just blocking his punches and not feeling his power.
 
“I don’t think Crawford has any other choices at welterweight. I can ask his team, with all due respect, to give me a rematch because these guys have no opponents yet.”

Gonzalez Decisions Marriaga

Joet Gonzalez won a 10-round unanimous decision over Miguel Marriaga in a battle of former featherweight world title challengers.

In round nine, Marriaga was cut over his right eye.

Gonzalez landed 234 of 732 punches. Marriaga was 127 of 622.

Gonzalez, 125.8 lbs of Glendora, CA won by scores of 99-91 twice and 97-93 and is now 24-1. Marriaga, 125.9 lbs of Ajona, COL is 29-4.

Gonzalez said, “This puts me back in the position I want to be. I wanted to be back in with tough guys. I told my manager, Frank Espinoza, and my team at Golden Boy that I didn’t want no tune-up fights. I wanted to show people that I could compete with the top guys and be in with heavy hitters and boxers and compete for another title real soon.
 
“I want another world title shot. I think I’ve earned it.”

Jumakhanov stops Ramos

Aleem Jumakhanov stopped Jorge Ramos in round three of a scheduled eight-round featherweight bout.

In round three, Jumakhanov dropped Ramos with a hard right to the head for the ten count at 2:02.

Jumakhanov, 126.5 lbs of Reseda, CA is now 9-3-2 with five knockouts. Ramos, 127 lbs of Laredo, TX is now 7-3-1.

In a battle of undefeated bantamweight, Manuel Flores stopped Jonathan Rodriguez in round five of a scheduled six-round bout.

In round three, Flores put Rodriguez down with a left hook. In round five, Flores landed a hard left that snapped the head of Rodriguez back, and then a follow up flurry had the fight stopped at 1:11.

Flores, 117.3 lbs of Coachella, CA is 9-0 with six knockouts. Rodriguez, 118 lbs of Bethlehem, PA is 8-1.

Anthony Chavez won a six-round unanimous decision over Adan Gonzales in a junior lightweight bout.

In round one, Gonzales dropped Chavez with a right over the top. The replays showed the knockdown was caused by a headbutt and was rescinded. In round three, Chavez landed a left hook that drove Gonzales into the ropes, which was ruled a knockdown.

Chavez, 129.1 lbs of San Bernadino, CA won by scores of 58-56 on all cards and is now 9-1. Gonzalez, 129.1 lbs of Denver, CO is 5-4-2.

Eric Puente remained perfect by winning a four-round unanimous decision over Luis Norambuena in a lightweight bout.

Puente boxed well and used his jab to set up good shots, which included a couple of nice uppercuts.

Puente, 137.7 lbs of San Diego, CA won by scores of 40-36 twice and 39-37 and is now 4-0. Norambuena, 135.6 lbs of Talca, CHL is 4-6-1.