Jose Toribio (right) of the National City CYAC had his hands full when facing U.S. Army team member Michael Benedosso.
Saturday, February 6, 2010, the USA Amateur Boxing Association Show was hosted by the Escondido Sport and Fitness Center and despite the inclement weather, parents and friends filled every seat in the large venue on East Lincoln Avenue in Escondido, CA.
With the inclusion of five boxers from the U.S. Army Boxing Team, 14 bouts were scheduled. As it turned out, two of the six bouts (both featuring a U.S. Army Boxer) were cancelled. This is not to say that any boxer may have been intimidated by the prospect of fighting a soldier but it is a fact that of the Armed Services, the U.S. Army Boxing Team does send more of their boxers to the Olympics than any other branch of the service. When you’re selected to be on their boxing team, you can forget you regular MOS, you will be spending every waking hour training to be a boxer par excellance.
Bout #1 Featured 19 year-old Juan Martinez of Indio facing 19 year-old Jorge Porras of Porras Boxing in Fallbrook. Early on Martinez neglected to use his jab and paid the price as Porras bore in and was relentless with his combinations. By the third round, the referee had to issue Martinez a standing eight-count. In the end, Porras won by a unanimous decision.
Bout #2 featured 14 year-old Javier Padilla of Indio facing 13 year-old Eduardo Vasquez of Real Deal in Hemet. Vasquez, more of a gambler, kept hoping to land the big overhand right. His opponent used his reach, height and leverage advantage to dominate the action. In the third round Padilla caught Vasquez squarely with a left hook that almost sent him to the canvass. Padilla received the decision.
Bout #3 between 11 year-old Dominic Serna of Indio and 11-year-old Bryan Pinzon of Pinzon, was probably the toughest fight to score. There was so much give and take. At times Pinzon was busier and then Serna would finish strong. Serna won the very close bout by a split decision.
Bout #4 featured 11 year-old Manuel Reyes of Escondido facing 11 year-old Christopher Bautista from Rhino Boxing. After they swung for the fences in the first round, they tried to match that same ferocity in the second. By the third round both boxers appeared to be spent. In this close match, Reyes received the decision for being the more accurate boxer of the two.
Bout #5 featured Victor Hernandez of Los Dorados Boxing going up against Balfred Gallardo of Porras Boxing of Fallbrook. This was one of those fights where you should have beeen pre-warned, “Don’t blink!” At the outset, it looked like Gallardo might have the upper-hand but then a wild left hook by Hernandez daized Gallardo and he was issued a standing eight count. After the first round the judges were probably wondering if their clickers were working correctly as the punch stats were out of sight .
Round two started with the same fury. Hernandez landed a left hook that bloodied Gallardo’s nose followed by a knockdown. Gallardo was stunned but not on Queer Street. The referee stepped in almost immediately to declare an end to the bout.
Bout #6 featured cruiserweights 24 year-old Eric Iglesias of Escondido facing 24 year-old Jesse Xauanis. Xauanis, who is 6’3” tall, used his height advantage, showed very good footwork and composure as he waited to pick his opponent apart. After winning both the first and second rounds, Xauanis took it easy in the final round.
Bout #7 featured 13 year-old Jesus Gonzalez of Real Deal in his debut facing 13 year-old Andres Cortes of Escondido. From the outset, Gonzalez was sharp and landed almost every punch. Cortes managed to survive round one but not round two. The only time Cortes received a breather from getting pummeled was when the referee stopped the bout for an occasional standing eight count. After the bout was stopped, the referee errored by raising Cortes's hand in victory. Gonzalez showed much class and good sportsmanship by not disputing the error. He even went through the entire medal presentaion before the ruling was reversed.
Bout #8 featured 12 year-old Jesus Balderas facing 13 year-old Bryan Espinoza of Escondido. Balderas was able to beat his taller opponentby by getting inside and landing the cleaner shots. Even though the action was certainly two-way, Balderas was the one who finished each round stronger.
Bout #9 featured 16 year-old Ivan Groaz, with no affiliation, facing 17 year-old Guillemo Gonzalez of Escondido. This had to be the top bout of the tournament. While Gonzalez worked his magic on the inside with counters, body shots and combinations, Groaz used his reach advantage to be a head hunter. After Groaz caught Gonzalez coming in with a beauty of a left hook, Gonzalez made him pay with a barrage of punches against the ropes. The non-stop action finally slowed in the third round as both boxers started gasping for air. This was one of those bouts that deserved a standing ovation. Groaz was awarded the well earned victory.
Bout #10 was to have 21 year-old Jesus Hernandez of Club Diaz facing 20 year-old Dustin Lara of the U.S. Army team. The bout was cancelled and Lara became the victor by default.
Bout #11 featured 17 year-old Jose Toribio of the National City CYAC going up against 19 year-old Michael Benedosso of the U.S. Army. The bout was difficult to score because of all the in-fighting and body shots. Still, Toribio was the busier boxer and landed proportionately more blows, sometimes three to one. In the end, the fight went to the score cards with the judges giving Toribio the split decision victory.
Bout #12 was to have 17 year-old Jose Jurado of the National City CYAC facing 19 year-old Joe Perez of the U.S. Army team. The bout was cancelled and Perez became the victor by default.
Bout #13 featured 20 year-old Fernando Rojas facing 22 year-old Adrian Orrostieta of the U.S. Army. While Rojas became the sharpshooter from the outside, Orrostieta was content to just prod along, ever ready to counter with his heavy artillery. Going into the third round, the fight was still up for grabs. That’s when Rojas showed he wanted it more and landed a multitude of punches.
Bout #14 had super-middleweight 24 year-old Nathan Hays of Fullmer going up against 21 year-old Manuel Reyes of the U.S. Army. Despite being much taller and having a four pound weight advantage, Hays could not handle Reyes who managed to get inside and pepper Hays with short rights and left hooks.
If any of the boxers, parents or friends would like copies of the photos taken on Saturday all they have to do is E-mail their request to ontherightside@yahoo.com and they will be forwarded to you.
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