Scene at the Arreola-Quezada Fight

“The Nightmare” gets the win in Ontario

Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola scored a victory over his tough foe Manuel “El Toro” Quezada in ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights” card held last night at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California. Promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions, the SoCal fans came out to cheer on their Riverside favorites fighting in their own backyard.

Mexican-American heavyweight Arreola had a lot to prove in this pivotal fight in his career. Just 29, the brawler wanted to show everyone he’s still in the game as one of the top contenders in his division. Did he answer his most hardened critics? His opponent was knocked down in both the ninth and twelfth rounds, but Quezada also got some attention from the crowd with his heart and sheer durability as Chris could not pull the trigger in getting that knockout that everyone was expecting and waiting for.

After 12 rounds, Jimmy Lennon Jr. announced scores of 117-108, 118-107 twice for the blue corner, giving Arreola a WBC Mexican National Heavyweight Championship in the process.

So was Quezada just too tough or was Arreola just too soft?

During the post-fight interview, Chris confirmed he did hurt both his hands during the bout. Seen shaking his hand in the early round, he said he hurt his left hand and his right paw in the scrap against the brave Quezada, who was more than willing to mix it up with “The Nightmare.”

“Manny can take a punch!” said Arreola.

“This is a very important win,” Chris also said. “It was a great show and a great fight.”

Who’s he looking to fight next?

“I’m a fighter,” he shrugged. “I’ll go wherever they put me!”

His promoter Dan Goossen backed up his man, saying they plan to have Arreola fight four to five times a year. “We’re gonna keep him busy,” nodded the amiable Goossen Tutor president. Also giving props to Chris’ challenger, Goossen said, “Quezada showed on this night that he’s a good, solid fighter.”

In a spirited co-feature, Riverside’s own Josesito Lopez battled Marvin Cordova Jr. for eight rounds in an entertaining welterweight war. Jose showed off great body work, connecting with uppercuts, hooks and punishing combinations that gave Cordova all he could handle. Marvin received a point deducted for a low blow, but proved to be a worthy opponent in their action-packed scrap. Cordova, who had “Much II Much” embroidered on his trunks, gave Jose much of a good test. This one really had the fans screaming as the barrage of punches never ended ’til the final bell. Lopez, with Arreola’s trainer Henry Ramirez in his corner, gets the nod with a unanimous decision of 77-74, 78-73 twice.

Completing the six-bout promotion was quick work by popular 2008 U.S. Olympian Shawn Estrada, who didn’t even need a full minute to finish off Alex Armenta in their super middleweight contest. In just 57 seconds, “El Chamuko” overwhelmed his opponent with heavy hands in another explosive performance by Estrada.

It was also a short night for bantamweight Michael Ruiz Jr. as he scored a TKO against Matthew Salazar in 2:18 of the second round.

In the other off-air matchups, Bennett bested Gary Bergeron in their welterweight contest with an 80-71 unanimous decision.

And the evening ended with a bang in the final fight of the night. Up-and-comer Matt Villanueva was worth the wait in just his second pro fight. I saw his pro debut in March as his foe had to be taken out on a stretcher after just two rounds. Last night, this 115-pound kid floored the crowd–and unfortunately his game and full-of-heart foe, Alejo Guzman, who was making his pro debut last night. In round two of their schedule four, the super flyweight showcased his devastating punches as he rocked the game Guzman with solid fists that left the young fighter on his back. Look for Alejo to make a stronger impression his second go-round. And keep your eye on Villanueva, who working with noted trainer Joe Goossen.

Some additional notes and snapshots from the fight: I saw Team Arreola before the night began with Chris his usual humor-filled self as he said to me, “Get a shot of us walking in!” “Chris, you’re in a parking lot,” I replied as he and his two buddies back-pedaled to recreate their walk to the arena. Well when a guy who’s about 260 requests a photo, you gotta do what you gotta do! Also had time to check out the famous KO Taco Truck before the lines got super long. I’ve heard so much about this roving meal-on-wheels vehicle. Chris Goossen’s menu offered fans a delicious list of authentic tacos, and a fun alternative to normal arena fare. The KO Taco Truck was a welcome addition at the fights.

Also caught up with one of the nicest trainers around, Ricky Funez, who with his boxer Stan Martyniouk and I also saw fighter Walter Sarnoi, who had just returned from an international trip where he earned his MBA. “My nicknames ‘The Schoolboy’ so I gotta keep fighting and going to school,” he laughed. At the end of the card, I had a good chat with the Soto Karass boys and boxing brothers Jesus and Jose Luis and their compadre and fellow pug Oscar Meza. Jesus says he is planning to fight on September 25th with his older brother and friend also possibly being on the undercard.

And also taking in the action were fighters Alfredo Angulo, Jeff Fenech, John Molina Jr., Mike Dallas Jr., Jonathan Arellano, Brandon Rios, actor and “Machete” star Danny Trejo, and baseball’s Pete Rose. A special Ten Count was held for boxing executive Jay Larkin.

Photos by Michele Chong