Plus: Snapshots from Thursday night
In last night’s main event slugfest between Aron Martinez and Hilario Lopez, an accidental head butt caused a deep gash to Lopez and the end of an action-packed night of live boxing in the Crowne Ballroom of the Commerce Casino. Presented by All Star Boxing, “The Battle of the Rising Stars” surely lived up to its name.
During the evening, the fans cheered on seven thrilling matchups while keeping an eye on various flat screens scattered throughout the room that broadcasted Game 4 of the Lakers-Magic NBA finals. For the Southland crowd, enjoying both boxing and basketball was sports heaven as the Lakers went on to win in overtime!
Here’s a recap of the Thursday night fight card, plus fun pics from the scene.
6 Rounds-MAIN EVENT
Aron Martinez (10-1-1) vs. Hilario Lopez (11-7):
MARTINEZ wins in the 5th round by UD after accidental head butt.
6 Rounds
Benjamin Diaz (9-2-2) vs. Danny Perez (8-6-1):
After Diaz’s 1st round knockdown of Perez, Diaz then had a point deducted in the 3rd round for low blow.
Bout was ultimately scored a DRAW.
6 Rounds
Efrain Esquivias (6-0) vs. Kristian Magallon (4-4):
ESQUIVIAS victorious with a 3rd round KO over Magallon (after scoring two separate knockdowns earlier in the fight).
4 Rounds
Abraham Lopez (0-1) vs. Ricky Duenas (2-1):
DUENAS gets the judges’ scores after a 2nd round knockdown over pro debut of Lopez.
4 Rounds
Anthony Jimenez (0-1) vs. Ruben Rivera (2-0-1):
RIVERA declared winner after ref waves off contest in the 2nd round (after 1st round knockdown by Rivera).
4 Rounds
Chris Chatman (3-0) vs. Mario Evangelista (3-4):
UD for southpaw CHATMAN in exciting 4-round battle.
4 Rounds
Ethan Cox (2-5-1) vs. Seth Colebrook (2-0):
Heavyweight COLEBROOK improves to 2 and 0 after TKO over Cox in the opening round.
Special guests in attendance were junior middleweight prospect Alfredo “Perro” Angulo and two-time former World Champion Bobby “Schoolboy” Chacon. Also seen in the energetic crowd were trainers Clemente Medina, Tony Rivera, Al Stankie, Hervi Estrada, and a contingent from the World Boxing Hall of Fame, including Treasurer Josie Arrey-Mejia, Steve Harpst, Frank Martinez and Cesar Flores.
Referees were Raul Caiz Sr. and Wayne Hedgepeth; Judges were Lou Filippo, Gwen Adair and Jonathan Davis; Ring announcer was Jim FitzGerald
Photos courtesy of Michele Chong