Maidana-Lopez & Angulo-Lara Scorch the Southland

KO Action at the Home Depot Center

Four fighters, two wars.

The main event of Marcos Maidana vs. Josesito Lopez and the co-feature of Alfredo Angulo vs. Erislandy Lara were two highly-anticipated bouts that erupted Saturday night at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. These two scorchers, presented by Golden Boy Promotions and airing live on Showtime, had those in boxing circles and fight fans around the world salivating for weeks in advance.

Both wars were scheduled for 12 rounds; most thought the battles wouldn’t go the distance.

High on drama, the action never ceased in this pair of collisions already being touted as “Fight of the Year” and various “Round of the Year” picks.

I knew it was gonna be a really good night when I arrived at the stadium known for its soccer, tennis and boxing matches. The very first bout was scheduled for 2:15, the Showtime Extreme fights began at 5 p.m. and the triple-billed headliners (Maidana-Lopez, Angulo-Lara and Hopkins-Charlo) were on tap for 7 p.m. Normally, only the hard core boxing fans show up early to catch all the rounds. But on Saturday, I saw the line at the entrances snake around the corner even before the gates opened. This was a sellout with fans expecting fireworks in the ring–and they were ready.

Wearing T-shirts touting the name or face of their favorite fighter, carrying homemade signs and flags of their home countries, the packed crowd was raring to go.

With 10 bouts on the card, I can honestly say everyone in the venue got more than their money’s worth. The fisticuffs went off under the blazing sun at 2:15, continued until the night breeze set in, ending with the last TKO around 10 p.m. Eight hours of boxing, it was a night to remember for the over 8,600 in attendance.

Getting a lot of bang for their buck, the boxing aficionados at Carson were happy campers as the night progressed. They cheered for the heroes, chanted for the underdogs, sang songs in the stands and were even treated to celeb sightings (actor Mario Lopez, comic Russell Peters, Golden Boy’s Oscar De La Hoya, champs and prizefighters Abner Mares, Leo Santa Cruz, Israel Vazquez, Brandon Rios, Paulie Malignaggi, Andre Berto, Sergio Mora, Jesus Soto Karass, Ray Beltran, Daniel Ponce De Leon, Alfonso Gomez, Lissette Medel and more at ringside). Between breaks, there were also free giveaways by radio DJ Tattoo keeping the crowd engaged. Wes Bernstein, the teenage son of Showtime’s Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein, got the ball rolling with his heartfelt singing of the National Anthem in center ring in Carson.

And after Saturday’s collisions, the Home Depot Center will always be remembered for the the Maidana-Lopez title bout (for the WBC Intercontinental Welterweight Championship) and the Angulo-Lara feud. Plenty of firepower, a load of fireworks inside the ropes.

But before these championship tilts began, the first bout of the triple header began with the crowd immediately raining down boos on the Demetrius Hopkins-Jermell Charlo 12 rounder. The fans wanted blood, guts and glory and the two combatants’ style in this match up didn’t deliver to the crowd’s liking. After 12 round, Charlo was declared the winner in a unanimous decision. Then the crowd really lit up as the co-feature’s walkouts began.

Popular slugger Alfredo “Perro” Angulo (22-3, 18 KOs) was taking on the smooth Cuban southpaw Erislandy Lara (18-1-2, 12 KOs) for the WBA Light Middleweight title. You want action? You want grit and guts? You got it in this one. As expected, Lara’s speed and movement kept Angulo at bay. The Cuban slickster peppered “Perro” with punches from the opening round, reddening the mug of Angulo early on. While the aggressive “Perro” was seen as the underdog in this contest, the dog had some tricks of his own. Before the fight, if anyone had predicted Angulo would knock down Lara twice, they would’ve been scoffed at. And yet, in round 4 and round 9, a determined Angulo scored with left hooks and body shots aimed at his speedy foe and depositing Lara on the ground.

But the rugged, come-forward Alfredo kept the same M.O., following his opponent and trying to get close to the wily Cuban star, who up until Saturday night had never tasted the canvas in his pro or amateur career. But the skillful Lara showcased his boxing skills and stiff jabs. This was a war of attrition with those in the seats roaring their approval.

During the rounds, the pro-Perro fans in the stands were literally whipped into a frenzy, celebrating the two shocking knockdowns. In between rounds, the amped up fans even did the “wave” in the stands. They were anxious and excited, perhaps sensing an upset victory brewing, hoping Angulo would claim the victory.

But in the tenth stanza, things turned rather quickly–and strangely–all coming to a stunning halt.

As the sharpshooter Lara unleashed some vicious lefts, Alfredo looked to be in trouble but was still fighting back. Then during one exchange, Angulo suddenly turned away, turning his back and walking toward his corner. At this point, referee Raul Caiz Sr. officially waved off the bout, stopping the clock and proclaiming Erislandy Lara the winner by TKO at 1:50 in round 10. There was chaos in the arena. What had happened? What was wrong with “Perro”? Early reports were that he may have suffered a fractured orbital bone but now the camp is saying more tests have to be done and that the Mexicali puncher may have been “thumbed” in the eye. Whatever the cause was, the damage was done with a severely swollen Angulo out of the bout and headed to the hospital. At the time of the stoppage, Lara led on two judges’ scorecards 85-84 (Max De Luca and Robert Hoyle) with one judge having Angulo in the lead with a score of 86-83 (Marty Denkin).

As the ruckus of this scrap still had everyone buzzing, the main event was then ignited. Everyone expected a sizzler in this one, and again the crowd was not disappointed. Buoyed by the all-out assault in the Angulo-Lara bash, the Marcos Maidana vs. Josesito Lopez, co-promoted by Thompson Boxing Promotions and Goossen Tutor Promotions headliner lit up the venue once again.

These two combatants throw every punch with bad intentions; they will never be in a boring fight. Together, “El Chino” Maidana (34-3, 31 KOs) and the “Riverside Rocky” Lopez (30-6, 18 KOs) were a combustible pair locked in battle. Toe to toe, head to head combat ensued. The fans were on their feet and I was on the edge of my seat. It was sizzling action from first bell.

Local favorite, Josesito Lopez, had Riverside’s “Lopez Nation” behind him. Again the underdog, the scrappy boxer known for his “Rocky”-like win over Victor Ortiz, is no stranger to being the dog in the game. For that June 2012 fight, Jose and his team all sported shirts proclaiming “I Smell An Upset.” He made good on that promise. After his defeat at the hands of Canelo Alvarez, Lopez was looking for another upset victory against the heavy-handed sledgehammer known as Marcos Maidana. For Saturday’s war against the Argentinean KO artist, Josesito and his supporters wore “Making Doubters Into Believers” T-shirts and tanks.

When “El Chino” and the “Riverside Rocky” went mano y mano, it was an instant classic. A “don’t blink” or you might miss some action kind of a fight.

High octane sparks exploded as these two warriors went at it. A fearless Jose came out attacking, staying busy as hands-of-stone Marcos landed shots of his own. The two pugilists were throwing bombs, with Maidana getting the better results in landing body punches that rocked Lopez. In round 3, the pair traded leather with the crowd cheering them on. The heavy hands of Maidana showcased the toughness of Lopez, not known for backing down against larger foes. Digging in deep once again, a determined Jose stayed in the fight. In round 4, there were some vicious exchanges as both had their moments. Lopez landed a body shot and some lethal combinations that forced Maidana down, but referee Dr. Lou Moret would see it as a slip with no points scored for a knockdown.

In the next two frames, Maidana trapped Lopez against the ropes and in the corners as he went to work trying to close the show. The Argentinean powerhouse began an all-out assault with a big right hand, uppercuts, and a storm of shots targeted at Josesito, who had his back against the red corner. As Maidana continued the blitz, referee Moret decided he had seen enough of unanswered shots by Lopez and officially halted the contest at the 1:18 mark of round 6. Lopez would later say he thought it was stopped too soon and he could’ve continued.

It was a close battle on the master score sheet with two judges giving Lopez the lead 48-47 (Carla Caiz and Jerry Cantu) and one judge (Max De Luca) seeing it 48-47 for Maidana. When the fight was stopped, Maidana had an 18-3 connect advantage in his favor.

The Maidana-Lopez brawl and the Angulo-Lara clash are two fights everyone will be talking about for a long time. It was pure back-and-forth action from four courageous warriors.

After the fight, Marcos Maidana, coached by multiple “Trainer of the Year” winner Robert Garcia said he wants to face the best in the 140 or 147 division. He is an exciting fighter to watch and look for more from this champ.

While Maidana and Lara celebrate their victories, a bruised and battered Angulo will no doubt rebound once again. And look for the “Riverside Rocky” Jose Lopez and his team of Henry Ramirez, Danny Zamora, “Indian” Willie Schunke and Rafael Lopez to bounce back as they go after Lopez’s 31st victory as a pro.

And perhaps the real winners in this Golden Boy card were the fight fans watching live and on Showtime broadcast around the world.

It was a night to remember for the firefights in this SoCal building.

The two hometown fan favorites of Alfredo Angulo and Josesito Lopez did not walk away with a victory, both defeated by TKOs. But neither are hanging their heads in shame. Fans have already trended about their respective battles and the bravery and heart they both showed and look forward to seeing them back in the ring.

Two days after the fight, Josesito Lopez sent a message out on Monday afternoon. Always connecting with his large fan base, the Inland Empire-version of “Rocky” says: The electricity and atmosphere of Maidana-Lopez at Home Depot Center on Showtime was crazy! I love fighting ‘cuz of fans like you! Thanks for the love.”

FOUR FIGHTERS, TWO WARS.

Win or lose, it was an electric night and one to remember.

Photos by Marlene Marquez