REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA – Promising super bantamweight Manuel Avila aims to impress in his first English-language broadcasted appearance as he takes on a late replacement opponent in journeyman Jose Angel Cota in the ten-round main event televised by Fox Sports 1 and emanating from the SportsHouse tonight. Fighters for the eight-bout card weighed-in Sunday afternoon at a conference room adjacent to the fight venue.

Avila (12-0, 4 KOs) of Fairfield, California has quietly been positioning himself as one of the top young fighters based in the northern part of the state. Avila’s most impressive win came two fights back against the once highly-touted Ricky Lopez last December. Avila impressively dispatched Lopez in the eighth and final round before his raucous following in Vacaville. Unfortunately for the young pro, tonight’s contest marks only his second appearance of 2013 and anything less than a spectacular performance by Avila would be seen as a disappointment given the quality of his opponent and the fact that he’s fighting in front of a national television audience. Avila made the 122-pound super bantamweight limit on the scales Sunday.

Cota (15-9-1, 11 KOs) of Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico came in on short notice, replacing the originally scheduled Jose Silveira last than one week ago. Most of Cota’s victories have come against modest opposition in Mexico, many of which taking place on cards that were so underreported that they never made their way on to the record-keeping site BoxRec.com. When fighting in the United States, Cota has mixed it up with some quality fighters, including Leo Santa Cruz, Jonathan Arrellano and Daulis Prescott. Against that trio, Cota did not last the distance in any of the three bouts. Cota came in at 122.5-pounds Sunday.

In the ten-round co-main event, fringe middleweight contender Paul Mendez (14-2-1, 6 KOs) of Delano, California takes on tough once-beaten Louis Rose (8-1, 2 KOs) of Lynwood, California. Mendez, coming off of an easy sparring session type win over hapless Rahman Yusubov last month, had the option of defending his IBA Middleweight title against Rose tomorrow. However, Mendez decided he did not want to make the 160-pound limit for his fight with Rose, who did want the chance at the belt. Rose’s claim to fame is an eight-round unanimous decision victory over previously unbeaten, ten-win middleweight Delen Parsley this past May in New York. Mendez made 162-pounds at the weigh-in, while Rose scaled 163.

In an intriguing six-round light welterweight bout, Jonathan Chicas (10-1, 4 KOs) of San Francisco, California looks to put his lone pro loss three fights back further in the rearview as he takes on tough gatekeeper Joaquin Chavez (6-9-2, 2 KOs) of Los Angeles, California. Since getting stopped by Moris Rodriguez last December, Chicas scored decision wins over sub .500 journeymen Arthur Brambila and Adolfo Landeros. Chavez has knocked off two previously undefeated and one once-beaten fighter just in 2013 alone. Chavez, who could campaign at lightweight if he desired, scaled 141-pounds, while the sturdy Chicas came in at 142.

Former amateur standout Andy Vences (4-0, 2 KOs) of San Jose, California returns to the ring one month after passing the first minor test of his career to take on a natural featherweight in Jose Garcia (3-6-1, 2 KOs) of Bakersfield, California in a four-round lightweight bout. Vences, coming off of a hard-fought four-round decision over Matthew Flores in September, scaled 133.5-pounds Sunday. Garcia, who has fought as low as 117-pounds in his pro career, came in at 134-pounds.

In what could be a show stealer, once-beaten bantamweights Mario Ayala and Benajmin Briceno will likely wage war in a four-round bout fought just above the 122-pound super bantamweight limit. Ayala (2-1) of Sacramento, California is looking for a quick rebound from his first professional loss just a couple weeks back, a four-round majority decision verdict in his hometown. Briceno (2-1) of San Leandro, California did rebound from his first loss in his debut with two back-to-back impressive four-round decisions this year. Ayala weighed on at 120.5, while Briceno scaled 122.5-pounds Sunday.

Fighting before his hometown crowd, Jesus Partida (3-1-2) of Redwood City takes on Sammy Perez (1-2-2) of Tigard, Oregon in a four-round super featherweight bout. Partida has fought with mixed results in his two previous hometown appearances. Two fights back, Partida eked out a four-round majority draw against Sacramento’s Alberto Torres in a fight many ringside could have been scored for his opponent. This past June, fighting at the Fox Theatre, Redwood City for the second straight time, Partida escaped a four-rounder with Christian Silva with a split decision and a cut right eye. Hoping to make his third homecoming Partida’s worse will be Perez, who is coming off of a draw with undefeated Andre Ramos in June. Partida made 131, while Perez scaled 130-pounds.

Light welterweight and former collegiate track star Darwin Price (2-0) of Saint Louis, Missouri will look to continue his romp through the dregs of his division as he takes on a heftier than expected Omar Avelar (2-9, 1 KO) of Lummi Reservation, Washington in a four-round bout. Price, fresh off of a controlled boxing exhibition over journeyman Johnny Frazier (2-19-4) last month, scaled 141-pounds. Riding a six-fight losing streak, Avelar, who splits time between boxing and mixed martial arts, scaled 148-pounds. Despite spending some time in the restroom jumping and shadowboxing, Avelar could not shed any of the extra weight, but the fight will go on regardless.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. underling Andrew Tabiti (1-0, 1 KO) of Las Vegas, Nevada returns to the ring for the first time in over three months to take on Eric Slocum (0-1) of Columbus, Ohio in a four-round cruiserweight bout. Tabiti, who had been scheduled to fight on the Mayweather-Saul Alvarez bill before his opponent fell out, weighed-in at 193-pounds. Slocum, who turned pro in July against a 2-0 fighter and losing a four-round decision, scaled 195-pounds Sunday.

Tickets for the event, promoted by Don Chargin Productions, Paco Presents and Golden Boy Promotions, are available online at PacoPresentsBoxing.com.

Quick Weigh-in Results:

Super Bantamweights, 10 Rounds
Avila 122
Cota 122.5

Super Middleweights, 10 Rounds
Mendez 162
Rose 163

Light Welterweights, 6 Rounds
Chicas 142
Chavez 141

Lightweights, 4 Rounds
Vences 133.5
Garcia 134

Super Bantamweights, 4 Rounds
Ayala 120.5
Briceno 122.5

Super Featherweights, 4 Rounds
Partida 131
Perez 130

Light Welterweights, 4 Rounds
Price 141
Avelar 148

Cruiserweights, 4 Rounds
Tabiti 193
Slocum 195

Photo courtesy Golden Boy Promotions

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortega15rds@lycos.com or on Twitter @MarioG280

WOODLAND, CALIFORNIA – In a good scrap that he was leading, Paul Mendez unfortunately robbed himself of praise that he likely would have attained justifiably had the fight not ended with a clear-cut low blow in the seventh round of his Telefutura-televised main event against DonYil Livingston at the Woodland Community & Senior Center on Saturday night. After an errant left hand hit Livingston below the belt, the out of position referee counted the down fighter out and awarded Mendez the stoppage victory – a decision that will likely be overturned after an appeal.

Livingston (8-2-1, 4 KOs) of Palmdale, California opened the first as the aggressor, landing his jab, before Mendez (10-2-1, 4 KOs) of Delano, California backed him to the ropes moments later. When Mendez, 162, got Livingston, 162, trapped, he did not manage to land anything really telling as the Palmdale resident covered up.

In a close second round, Livingston found a home for a hard left hand, but midway through the act it was Mendez that found his range and kept his opponent on the end of his shots.

Mendez took control of the fight in the third, hurting Livingston with a solid overhand right and flurrying his smaller adversary to the ropes. Livingston looked steady on his feet as the fourth began, but not so much as the round came to a close. Mendez rocked the cousin of Andre Ward with a hard combination and had him in trouble before the bell to end the round.

Mendez had another solid round in the fifth, but Livingston began to show renewed life as the round ended. Livingston came on the start the sixth, landing in combination as Mendez’ shots turned a bit wide. Livingston landed a hard left, before Mendez closed the round with a decent combination.

What looked to be a fight going into the final two frames, ended abruptly as Mendez caught Livingston way south of the border with a hard lefthand. Unfortunately, referee Dan Collins was over Livingston’s left shoulder, in admittedly no position to make the call. According to the attending Commission supervisor, the referee should have polled the ringside judges for the call. Judge Kermit Bayless was asked and told Collins he did not see the blow. The other two judges were unavailable to make a comment to 15rounds.com on the fight’s ending.

Scores at the time of the stoppage, which came at 43 seconds of the seventh round, were 58-56 and 59-55 twice for Mendez. The result will very likely be overturned to a no-contest, considering the Telefutura replay will clearly show the blow was low. Livingston should have had five minutes to be ready to continue, according to the rules of the California State Athletic Commission. Had he not been able to continue at that point, Mendez would have been declared a TKO winner. Given the ending, it is unfortunate for Mendez that a solid showing will likely go to waste, at least in terms of his won-loss record.

Moving up to the eight-round distance, progressing super bantam Manuel Avila (10-0, 3 KOs) of Fairfield, California showed off his jab and lateral movement en route to a measured unanimous decision win over the naturally smaller John Alberto Molina (32-20-3, 20 KOs) of Fort Myers, Florida by way of Caucasia, Colombia.

Despite the size disadvantage, it was Molina, 121.5, who pressed the action throughout. Though getting on inside was Molina’s only hope, his plan played into the hands of the comfortable counter-puncher Avila. The young prospect, 123, seemed happy to jab and move his way to the points win soon after the fight got under way. The little bit of action the fight provided was in the few moments Molina managed to back Avila into a corner or to the ropes, forcing his undefeated foe to exchange before moving back out of range.

After eight rounds of bull versus matador back-and-forth, Avila was given the nod on all three judges’ cards. All three officials had Avila a winner in seven of the eight rounds, with the final tally of 79-73 across the board.

Local favorite Guy Robb (9-1, 4 KOs) of Sacramento, California sent his strong contingent home happy as he dropped the durable Jonathan Alcantara (6-9-2, 1 KO) of Novato, California en route to a wide six-round unanimous decision victory.

Despite his accomplished amateur background, Robb, 126.5, is becoming known for his relentless inside game and that trait stood out in the opening rounds against Alcantara, 128, a late fill-in opponent.

After utilizing his harder and more accurate shots through two, Robb dropped Alcantara with a combination punctuated by a stiff right hand in the opening seconds of the third. Robb applied pressure soon after Alcantara rose, forcing the Novato resident to stumble back with another clean combo. However, by the finals seconds, Alcantara seemed to have regained his legs and even began to offer back with some ineffective attempts of his own. Just to show Robb he was still present, Alcantara shoved Robb as the bell rang to end the third.

Robb, coming in off one of his longer layoffs as a pro, may have winded a bit after the third and eventually tempered his offense as the rounds wore on. Acting more as a counter puncher, Robb found success in the latter rounds. Picking his shots, Robb outboxed Alcantara in the final round en route to the shutout decision, 60-53 across the board. Robb will return to the ring October 6th in his hometown at the famed Sacramento Memorial Auditorium.

Despite an uneven start, Jonathan Chicas (7-0, 3 KOs) of San Francisco, California outgunned journeyman Jose Mendoza (7-7, 3 KOs) of Oxnard, California by way of Jalisco, Jalisco, Mexico for the second time in just under a month.

Chicas, 140, fought a bit recklessly in the opening rounds, but found a home for his power shots in each stanza. Mendoza, 139, was successful when he opened up, particularly in the second and third rounds. However, as was the case in their first encounter, Mendoza did not have the power to earn Chicas’ respect. Even when was hit clean, Chicas mostly walked through the punches and fired back in combination. Chicas regained complete control in the last two acts and was named the winner, 49-45 across the three cards. Back in August, Chicas took a shutout four-round decision over Mendoza in Fairfield, California.

A scheduled four-round super featherweight bout between former amateur standout Andy Vences of San Jose, California and Carlos Higuera Gonzalez (1-1) of Los Angeles, California was scratched from the card this afternoon. Gonzalez’ required blood work was not completed in time which forced the California State Athletic Commission to remove him from the fight. No opponent could be found to save the night for Vences, who was scheduled to make his debut. Vences now hopes to debut on the aforementioned October 6th card in Sacramento.

Photos by Erik Killin

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

WOODLAND, CALIFORNIA — Rising prospect and local draw Alan Sanchez thrilled his vocal following yet again with a hard-fought eight-round unanimous decision over Alberto Herrera in the Telefutura Solo Boxeo main event at the Woodland Community & Senior Center on Friday night.

Sanchez (9-2-1, 3 KOs) of Fairfield, California entered the ring four times in 2011, three times in Fairfield and once in nearby Woodland. All four times Sanchez emerged victorious in fairly one-sided, but action-packed bouts.

On Friday, Herrera (8-4-1, 5 KOs) of Riverside, California fought the type of fight he needed to in order to be successful. Sanchez just made certain he was not. The shorter and shorter-armed Herrera, 146, took the fight to Sanchez’ chest, but was still outfought nonetheless. When Sanchez, 149, did get at range and keep Herrera on the end of his punches, the Riverside resident was even less successful.

Sanchez utilized a lead right from the early going. It was a punch that Herrera rarely had a remedy for from a defensive standpoint. After maintaining his distance for the first two rounds, Sanchez decided to exchange with Herrera at close range to end the third. Herrera managed to land his first few clean blows, but it was still a Sanchez round.

The fourth was perhaps the only round that Herrera won outright. Herrera, the younger brother of world ranked light welterweight contender Mauricio Herrera, briefly forced Sanchez to the ropes and kept the fight at close range for much of the round. Though he faded late in the stanza, Herrera did well early and got the best of a heated exchange late.

As the fight progressed, Sanchez would fight toe-to-toe in stretches, but eventually find a way to utilize his edge in reach. Sensing he was behind in the fight, Herrera came forward non-stop in round seven. However, Sanchez picked his shots well and landed clean whenever he let go with his hands. To his credit, Herrera fought hard until the end, but just did not have an answer for Sanchez’ size and reach.

All three official scorers, Dan Collins, Marty Sammon and Michael Tate, had the fight for Sanchez by the score of 79-73.

Guy Robb (7-0, 3 KOs) of Sacramento, California sent his large contingent of supporters on hand home happy with a dominant fifth-round stoppage over durable Hugo Ramos (3-11-2, 1 KO) of Palm Springs, California.

Heading into the bout, Ramos, 127, had been stopped only once, having gone the distance with prospects Randy Caballero, Jonathan Arrellano, Joel Diaz and Gabriel Tolmajyan. Robb, 127, predicted a knockout and decided early on a concentrated body attack was his best hope to make his prediction come true.

Ramos was fleet of foot early, but Robb began to land his right to the body by late in the first. It would be Robb’s go to punch throughout the fight, as Ramos continually covered up, leaving his body exposed. Though he clearly had the better boxing skills, Robb was quite comfortable mixing it up at close quarters as well.

By the fourth, Ramos was really feeling the effects of every right to his ribs. While he continued to swing away, the sting had really left Ramos’ punches as Robb relentlessly pursued him around the ring. Sensing his man was in trouble in the fifth, Robb upped his attack even more, eventually catching Ramos with against the ropes. Finally protected his body, Ramos left himself open for a series of clean blows to his head, which prompted referee Ed Collantes to stop the bout at 2:18 of the fifth.

Unbeaten light welterweight Jonathan Chicas (4-0, 3 KOs) of San Francisco, California looked impressive in spoiling the debut of heralded former amateur standout Paul Cano (0-1) of Clovis, California via second-round kayo.

Cano, 144, pressed the action early, but could not avoid Chicas’ counter right hands. Late in the opening round Chicas, 144, caught Cano with a right in an exchange. Two more overhand rights followed, the last one forced Cano to the mat for a knockdown. Cano appeared to have clear eyes as referee Ray Balewicz gave him a standing eight-count with seconds to go in the round. After one more Chicas overhand right, the round ended with Cano a bit shaky going to his corner.

Cano came out pressing again in the second, but again found himself on the end of a series of overhand rights in an exchange. After six straight overhand rights, Cano legs came out from under him as he fell back into the blue corner. Though he popped up quickly, Balewicz opted to stop the fight without a count. Time of the stoppage was 31 seconds of the second round.

In a battle between former sparring partners, Nicolas Balestra (2-1, 1 KO) of Sacramento outlasted Will Walters (0-3) of Sacramento en route to a third-round stoppage. Balestra, 146, and Walters, 146, came out at each other with no feeling out process from the opening bell. Walters boxed well early, but it appeared Balestra’s edge in power began to take over early in the third. Balestra’s right began to find a home without an answer coming from Walters. After a succession of rights by Balestra snapped Walters’ head back, referee Ed Collantes stopped the contest at 1:13 of the third.

In the opener, Oscar Godoy (4-1, 2 KOs) of Watsonville, California dominated journeyman Juan Carlos Diaz (7-16, 6 KOs) of Lakeside, California by way of Ciudad Nezahualcoyotl, Estado de Mexico, Mexico en route to a third-round stoppage.

After two one-sided rounds, Godoy, 150, really pressed the issue in the third. With Diaz, 152, covering up against the ropes, Godoy unleashed in combination and landed a damaging right that forced the Mexican to wilt against the third strand. With Diaz prone, Godoy continued to throw before referee Ray Balewicz waved off the bout at 2:44 of round three.

In the walkout bout, Dmitry Chudinov (6-0, 3 KOs) of Los Angeles, California by way of Serpukhov, Russia turned back the challenge of short notice opponent Tony Hirsch (12-5-2, 6 KOs) of Oakland, California via six-round majority decision.

Hirsch, who took the fight on a day’s notice and at his holiday weight, 180, was successful in spots in a bout that featured some hard to score rounds. Chudinov, 178, likely got credit for coming forward and for some clean punching on the inside. Hirsch fought off his back foot looking to counter the naturally larger Chudinov. Judges Dan Collins and Marty Sammon saw the fight 59-55 and 58-56 respectively for Chudinov. Judge Michael Tate had the fight even, 57-57.

Photos by Stephanie Trapp/trappfotos@gmail.com

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

WOODLAND, CALIFORNIA — In the season finale of Telefutura Solo Boxeo tomorrow night, welterweight prospect Alan Sanchez will appear on the network for the third time this year as he takes on late fill-in opponent Alberto Herrera in the eight-round main event emanating from the Woodland Community & Senior Center. Fighters weighed in this afternoon at Paco’s Authentic Mexican Restaurant in downtown Woodland.

After taking his entire early career on the road, Sanchez (8-2-1, 3 KOs) of Fairfield, California will be fighting near home for the fourth consecutive time as he takes on Herrera (8-3-1, 5 KOs) of Riverside, California.

Sanchez comes in off of a dominate performance in June, as he battered durable Clint Coronel before forcing a cut-induced seventh-round stoppage in Fairfield. Sanchez is currently riding a three-fight win streak which began after a controversial draw against Luis Grajeda in September of last year. Sanchez had Grajeda down twice, but left San Diego, California with the draw in a fight he clearly deserved.

Herrera, the brother of world ranked contender Mauricio Herrera, ended a three-fight skid this past October with a six-round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Marcus Robinson. Herrera took the fight with Sanchez on short notice, after originally scheduled KeAndre Gibson was forced to withdraw with a training injury. Herrera scaled 146, while Sanchez came in at 149-pounds at today’s weigh-in.

In the televised co-feature, Guy Robb (6-0, 2 KOs) of Sacramento, California will take on tough Hugo Ramos (3-10-2, 1 KO) of Palm Springs, California in a six-round super featherweight bout. Robb comes in off of his career-best win to date, a dominate six-round decision over heralded prospect Pablo Armenta this past September. Ramos has been in with many of the top featherweight prospects in the state and always held his own. Robb and Ramos both weighed in at 127-pounds.

In an intriguing match-up, unbeaten Jonathan Chicas (3-0, 2 KOs) of San Francisco, California will take on debuting former amateur standout Paul Cano of Clovis, California in a four-round welterweight bout. Chicas, who holds a win over former accomplished amateur and frequent Cano sparring partner Michael Islas, weighed in at 144-pounds. Cano, who has been one of the top amateurs in the nation at his weight class over the last two years, also weighed in at 144.

Nicolas Balestra (1-1) of Sacramento will take on former gym mate Will Walters (0-2) of Sacramento in a four-round welterweight bout. Balestra, a former MMA competitor, got into the win column with a four-round decision over Alex Vlas in November. Walters, who used to spar Balestra on a daily basis, is still in search of his first pro win after two hard-fought battles with Bret De La Torre in April and November. Walters and Balestra both scaled 146-pounds.

Dmitry Chudinov (5-0, 3 KOs) of Los Angeles, California by way of Serpukhov, Russia will take on rugged Tony Hirsch (12-4-2, 6 KOs) of Oakland, California in a four-round super middleweight bout. Chudinov, a 2008 World Cup Championships bronze medalist, weighed in at 169-pounds at today’s weigh-in. Hirsch, who took the fight on very short notice, will weigh in tomorrow.

Oscar Godoy (3-1, 1 KO) of Watsonville, California will take on journeyman Juan Carlos Diaz (7-15, 6 KOs) of Lakeside, California by way of Ciudad Nezahualcoyotl, Estado de Mexico, Mexico in a four-round light middleweight bout. Godoy, originally scheduled to take on Luis Sanchez, weighed in at 150-pounds. Diaz, who has dropped his last ten bouts, including nine to undefeated opponents, weighed in at 152-pounds.

Tickets for tonight’s event, promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, Don Chargin Productions, Paco Presents and Jorge Marron Productions, are available by calling Paco’s Authentic Mexican Restaurant in Woodland at 530-669-7946, Taqueria Guadalajara #1 in Woodland at 530-668-0628 or Travis Credit Union in Woodland at 530-668-0573.

Quick Weigh-in Results:

Welterweights, 8 Rounds
Sanchez 149
Herrera 146

Featherweights, 6 Rounds
Robb 127
Ramos 127

Welterweights, 4 Rounds
Chicas 144
Cano 144

Welterweights, 4 Rounds
Balestra 146
Walters 146

Light Middleweights, 4 Rounds
Godoy 150
Diaz 152

Super Middleweights, 4 Rounds
Chudinov 169
Hirsch*

*will weigh-in tomorrow

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