Catching up with the SoCal fight scene!
L.A. boxing fans have a triple-header of choice fights this weekend that began with last night’s Club Nokia Fight Night, continuing with tonight’s Pechanga ShoBox card, and culminating with tomorrow night’s highly-anticipated bout between Timothy Bradley and Nate Campbell at Agua Caliente.
Over 2,000 fight fans packed the downtown Club Nokia venue last night to watch many hometown favorites take center ring in the “Fight Night Club” series promoted by Golden Boy Promotions.
The arena features live boxing in a nightclub setting with the majority of ticket holders gathered on the floor around the ring. Fans line up early to nab the coveted spots just inches from the canvas. This makes for an energetic audience and allows fans to get an up-close view of the action in a fun, casual atmosphere with hip hop music playing between fights. There is also an upstairs mezzanine section for those who want to sit back and enjoy the bouts.
Many of the Los Angeles boxing community came out to check out the prospects and contenders, and I had a chance to catch up with a few familiar faces.
Arriving at Club Nokia, I met up with matchmaker Hervi Estrada and his wife, Delmy, who were chatting with trainer Mando Huerta from the Maywood gym. The friendly veteran trainer greeted us with a big smile. His son, and the crowd favorite, Charles Huerta was scheduled as the main event of the evening. Mando said his son was resting in the dressing room and looking forward to getting in the ring.
Unfortunately, later in the night, the young and likable Huerta was stopped in 59 seconds of the first round by the fast and frenetic fury of Florida’s Derrick Wilson. The audience, with many holding up homemade signs for featherweight Huerta, were left stunned and devastated as Wilson succeeded with a big upset by a big left hook that ended the action.
But before the fights began, while outside of the auditorium, I also caught up with Hall of Fame boxing manager Jackie Kallen, who has a talented stable of fighters continuing to rack up impressive victories. After I asked her what’s new with these young protégés, the former Kronk Gym publicist rattled off a list of dates of planned bouts for her boxers. “Michael Dallas is fighting on September 12 at Pechanga,” the blonde powerhouse said. “Damian Fuller is fighting in August in the Bahamas, and then again in September in Virginia. And Karim Mayfield will be fighting August 14 in Tuscon!
“The guys keep me busy, I’ve got to keep up with them…it beats sitting at home knitting. Although, I do knit too!” she quipped.
Once inside the crowded room, a couple of thousand fans were treated to seven fights with several local boxers on the bill. Sprinkled through the floor were many boxing clubs showing up in packs to cheer on their stablemates, while wearing their club T-shirts and hoisting up their handmade signs.
The Maywood gym was well-represented by a ton of Maywood athletes and trainers including Clemente Medina, Alfredo “Perro” Angulo and female fighter Kina Malpartida, who came back from Peru three weeks ago where she defended her WBA super-featherweight world title. The fierce female boxer looked fit and already ready for her next matchup.
Also got some time to talk with “Perro” about his upcoming Stateline fight against Gabriel Rosado, the first bout after his very first loss against Kermit Cintron. When I inquire about any fight predictions for his August 7 matchup, the former Mexican Olympian says with a huge grin, that he promises to throw “mas golpes” (more punches and more hits!).
Look for the popular Angulo to make a strong comeback as he says he’s been training extra hard for his next battle.
Another Maywood supporter and father of Jesus “Pollo” Hernandez, was also there cheering on his compadres. I asked Cesar how “Pollo” was doing he said that they’re looking to get a rematch against Aaron Garcia. Jesus and Garcia fought to a bloody six-round draw on June 12 at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario. Now Team “Pollo” wants a rematch for their featherweight, and that may take place on September 11 at the Doubletree, the same location as their first fight.
Before the fights began, our group greeted former fighters Shibata Flores and Francisco “Panchito” Bojado. As the jovial welterweight Bojado and I take a quick photo, I raise my fist to match his. You know, when you’re around boxers that fist just comes up second nature, you can’t help but catch the fighting spirit!
Speaking of spirit, Luis Ramos’ sister was right behind us and the spunky sibling gave it her all rooting for her brother, who was victorious in a lively brawl against Sandro Marcos. After the final bell, the southpaw Ramos’ hand was raised in victory to the cheers of his family and friends. The fighter celebrated his well-earned win as he builds on his perfect 12-0 record.
During the seven fights, the crowd was entertained by ring announcer Amy Hayes. And a strange occurrence happened early in the night, during a heavyweight match up in the ring, there was a ring post snafu that had the attendees stymied and somewhat bemused by the delay. Midway into the first round, heavies Herman “The German” Binek and Yohan Banks were forced to sit on stools center ring and wait it out while repairs were made. To their credit, the crowd was very patient at the odd sight of two large guys sitting on tiny stools like naughty schoolboys being punished. It was a funny sight that kept the crowd amused during the wait.
Special guests introduced in the ring included TV star Mario Lopez, and boxers “The Golden Boy” himself Oscar De La Hoya, Bernard Hopkins, Shane Mosley, Vicente Escobedo, Victor Ortiz, David Rodela, Abner Mares, Librado Andrade, Sergio Mora, and Nate Campbell. A classy “Ten Count” was also held in honored of three recently fallen warriors, Vern Forrest, Arturo Gatti and Alexis Arguello. It was also announced that the next installment of the Golden Boy series will take place on August 27 at Club Nokia.
After the Fight Night Club ended, we went to the ESPN Zone restaurant at the adjacent LA Live. Sitting in the outdoor patio, we said hi to CSAC’s Larry Ervin and two of his fellow inspectors as they were exiting another great fight event in L.A.
And as the evening wound down, everyone was already thinking about the next happening around the Southland. Besides the Pechanga fights tonight, the L.A. buzz is all about Nate “Galaxxy Warrior” Campbell and Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley’s fireworks clash this Saturday in the Palm Springs area.
Boxing is highly addictive, in case you haven’t noticed. So for a lot of the Angelenos, it looks like a lot of us will be making road trips this weekend to catch the action!
See YOU at the fights!
Quick recap of last night’s bouts:
Undefeated prospect Luis Ramos (Left) walks to a neutral corner after knocking down Sandro Marcos (Right) en route to a sixth round knockout victory.
Undefeated prospect Carlos Molina (Left) throws a left hand en route to a fourth round knockout of a Eber Luis Perez (Right).
Undefeated prospect Ronny Rios (Right) throws a right hand en route to a four round unanimous decision victory over Rodrigo Aranda (Left).
Enrique Ornelas (Right) walks to a neutral corner after knocking down Roberto Baro (Center) en route to a fourth round knockout victory.
Undefeated prospect Ricky Lopez (Right) lands a right hand en route to a four round unanimous decision victory over Eder Peralta (Left).
Action Photos by Tom Hogan – Hoganphotos