USA Amateur Boxing results from Showdown at the Ranch

On Saturday, everyone who is anyone was at the Marron Ranch in Lakeside, CA to see the latest USA Amateur Boxing Show “Showdown at the Ranch” featuring 12 bouts, 24 boxers, some of whom had to travel a great distance – from as far away as Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, Albany, New York and Denver, Colorado.

The USA Amateur Boxing Show “Showdown at the Ranch” took place Saturday, February 7, 2015 at the Marron Ranch in Lakeside, CA. Competing in this event they had several highly touted Amateur and Pro prospects flying in from Albany, New York, Denver, Colorado, Tucson, Arizona, Tijuana, B. C., Mexico and Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. The results of their performance are as follows:

In Bout #1, it was 11 year-old Savino Navarro (2-0, 69 lbs.) from the Lee Espinoza Gym in Coachella Valley coming away with the victory over 10 year-old Diego Luna (70 lbs.) from the Bound Boxing Academy in Chula Vista, CA. This one was almost too close to call as both boxers remained active in what turned out to be a slugfest. By the narrowest of margins, the judges had ruled Navarro had landed the majority of the well struck blows.

In Bout #2, you had 14 year-old Jonathan Mansour of the host gym, the Marron Boxing Camp, Lakeside, CA (96 lbs.) getting the best of 12 year-old Alex Ruiz (99 pounds) Unattached.

The first sign of Mansour’s superiority came in round two, when referee Rick Ley found it necessary to stop the action and issue Ruiz an 8-count. Throughout the second and third rounds, it became evident Mansour had more fire power and used better leverage when delivering his punches.

In Bout #3, it was 8 year-old Nikolao Taa of the Gamez Boxing Team (71.2 pounds), who after just four months in the gym, was making his Amateur debut against a fellow debutant 8 year-old Adrian “Mighty Mouse” Mendez of City Boxing, San Diego (66.6 pounds).

Even though Taa outweighed Mendez by 4.6 lbs. and had a four inch height advantage, he was unable to stem the tide against an opponent who kept pressing forward to smother Taa and inflict more punches.

An interesting side note, Taa’s father is an actor and he had a part in the soon to be released movie, Night Crew which stars Luke Goss and everyone’s favorite bad guy Danny Trejo. Also, be forewarned, it might be time to get out the mousetraps. Like his namesake “Mighty Mouse” the cartoon character which originated in 1944 and made a comeback in 2013 and 2014, Adrian “Mighty Mouse” Mendez could soon terrorize the 8-year-old division. He’s got lightning fast hands, good movement and comes at you like a torpedo.

In Bout #4, it was the 13 year-old veteran Alfred Vargas from the Gamez Boxing Team (98.2 pounds) earning the victory over 14 year-old Jose Navarro (0-2) from the Lee Espinoza Gym (103 pounds).

Vargas played the cat and mouse game often waiting for Navarro to throw the first punch and then counter. When countering, Vargas couldn’t miss and kept racking up the points to earn an unanimous decision.In Bout #5, it was 14 year-old Edwin Lozano (3-2) from the Gamez Boxing Team (115.2 pounds) getting upset by 13 year-old Armando Navarro from the Lee Espinoza Gym (117.6 pounds) who was making his amateur debut.

In this fierce battle, there was literally no concern for defense. From the opening bell both boxers began to wail away at each other. When this happens, it’s just a matter of time before one of the boxers will land that unsurvivable punch. This is what happened when Navarro caught Lozano with a wide left hook followed by a right cross which led referee Will White to interrupt the bout and issue Lozano an 8-count. Eventually, Navarro’s fire power proved too much for Lozano and the ref called for a halt to the match.

In Bout #6, we saw Isaac Colunga (red trunks) of the ABC Mongoose Gym in San Diego continually dominating his foe Nico Marchan of the House of Boxing with his stiff jab and powerful overhand right. All photos: Jim Wyatt

A shadow was cast on the outcome of Bout #6 There was a lot of confusion when it came time to announce the winner of Bout #6. At first referee Will White raised Isaac Colunga’s arm (red trunks). Then it was Nico Marchan’s arm going up. The charming young ladies standing nearby to present the trophy and medal to the combatants are both present or former USA National Champions – Jessica Juarez (r) and Andrea Medina (l). They too were surprised by the turn of events.

In Bout #6, it was 20 year-old Isaac Colunga of the ABC Mongoose Gym, San Diego (129.4 pounds) going up against 22 year-old Nico Marchan (121.8 pounds) of the House of Boxing San Diego who was making his debut.

In this controversial win, it appears the judges gave more credence to the combinations and arm punches of Marchan than to the more powerful overhand and straight rights to the head thrown by Colunga. If it were a pro fight, the judges awarding the bout to Marchan would have been severely criticized and you would have heard an even louder chorus of boo’s.

At first the show’s announcer read off, “Our winner comes out of the red corner, Isaac Colunga,” and referee Will White raise Colunga’s arm. Seconds later came the correction and Marchan’s arm went up to signify he had won. It was learned later that one judge had Colunga far ahead and the other two judges (the two blind mice) had Marchan winning.

In Bout #7, it was MMA fighter – turned boxer, 25 year-old Jaime Reyes (135.2 lbs., red trunks) from the Marron Boxing Camp taking on 17 year-old Daniel Castellanos (blue trunks) from the Alliance Training Center (142.2 pounds). After an outstanding and well contested round one, Reyes began to slow and eventually three 8-counts were issued. Castellanos won both the second and third rounds as it appeared Reyes had lead in shoes. Even though he continued to punch hard, he was a sitting duck for all the incoming from Castellanos who began to pick him apart.

After Reyes slowed you could hear his coach yelling, “Step out! Move! You’re not showing me any leg movement! Hands up!” As if it comes as any consolation, Reyes did hit Castellanos with two big shots to the head just before the final bell.

At the outset, Abraham Nova (red trunks) looked so dominant and elusive, that Armando Tovar wouldn’t have a chance.

Before long, Armando Tovar (r) made some adjustments – like the use of this hammer-like left uppercut. From that point on, Nova knew he was in a war.

In Bout #8 it was 21 year-old Abraham Nova from Albany, New York, a USA National Team member and frontrunner to be selected to the 2016 USA Olympic Team (142.2 pounds) getting the nod over 24 year-old Armando Tovar (149 pounds) from the House of Boxing. You would have thought Nova’s footwork, defense and slick punching would have been too much for Tovar but oh contraire! Tovar stood his ground and went hard against the eventual winner by working over Nova’s midsection and occasionally landing the left to the side of Nova’s head.

Bout #9, another major scrap, featured local favorite Gabriel Hernandez (blue trunks) going up against the more experienced Abram Martinez (red) who has been boxing since he was seven years old, a veteran of close to 80 bouts.

To celebrate his victory, Gabriel Hernandez is raised on high by his coach Tiger Smalls and fellow mates from his gym. To the far left is his mother and baby sister.

They say there’s this precious baby in El Cajon, who when picked up and held in someone’s arms, guarantees victory in their upcoming competition. It has now worked four straight times for the following gents (l to r, top to bottom) Bellator MMA fighter Andy Murad, XFS fighter Cris Bruno, MMA fighter Sean Najjar and now boxer Gabriel Hernandez. Some have suggested, “It’s time to market her powers.”

In Bout #9, it was 19 year-old Abram Martinez (153 lbs) from Denver, Colorado, another member of the USA National Team, going up against a local favorite, 19 year-old Gabriel Hernandez (156 pounds) from the Tiger Smalls Boxing Team at the San Diego Boxing Academy in Mission Valley, San Diego, CA.

In both rounds one and two, Martinez, the slicker, counter puncher built up a substantial lead with his strategy of hitting Hernandez and then holding him so he couldn’t react. Without seeing a point deduction for holding, Martinez continued this strategy throughout the fight. By the close of round two, Hernandez had already felt Martinez’s best punches and it appeared he was then confident enough to take control of the fight. “If” the fight had gone an additional round (four rounds), we’d likely have a draw. For sure, the momentum had swung in Hernandez’s favor.

With all the conjecture behind us, the judges’ decision was announced, “Hernandez is the winner!”

The winner of Bout #10, Martin Ramirez (l) has his arm raised in victory by referee Will White after he defeated Esteban Castro. All photos; Jim Wyatt

In Bout #10, it was 15 year-old Martin Ramirez (1-1, 124 lbs.) of Bound Boxing coming away with the victory over 15 year-old Esteban Castro (1-2, 125 lbs.) from the Tres Cientos Boxing Gym of Tijuana, B. C., Mexico. In this one Ramirez proved to be the better schooled boxer as he took charge from the outset.

In the photo above we see heavyweight Daniel Arambula taking a seat after being walloped by fellow heavyweight Mario Heredia. (below, right) the two boxers pose for a photo after their match (l to r) Daniel Arambula and the victorious Mario Heredia.

Bout #11 featured two heavyweights from the professional ranks, 22 year-old Mario “Chabelo” Heredia (9-1-0, 7 KOs, 260 lbs.) from Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico going up against (228 lbs.) Daniel Arambula (2-0) from Tlaquepaque, Jalisco, Mexico, who like Rios is now training for his next fight at the Marron Boxing Camp in Lakeside. This one ended early after Heredia sent Arambula to the canvas in Round one. Allowing Arambula what you’d call an excessive amount of time to recover, Heredia was right back in his face to pound the lighter Arambula into submission and end their four minute exhibition.

On February 20, 2015, Heredia will be taking on Lenroy “TNT” Thomas of Saint Petersburg, Florida, his first opponent in the upcoming Boxcino 2015 Tournament which will air on ESPN.

Popular guy: After his exhibition match with former pro boxer Flavio Martinez (top, left), Genaro Gamez poses for photos with his girlfriend, referee Will White and fellow pugilist Nikolao Taa (bottom, right). All photos: Jim Wyatt

Bout #12 was another exhibition as 19 year-old Genaro Gamez (134 lbs.) from the Gamez Boxing Team, another member of the USA National Team, faced former pro boxer 33 year-old Flavio Martinez from the Marron Boxing Camp, Lakeside, CA. As usual, Gamez looked impressive with his footwork and hand speed.