Aaron Garcia gets TKO victory over Kevin Hoskins

At the conclusion of the evening’s Main Event at the Crowne Plaza Hanalei Hotel in Mission Valley, boxer Aaron Garcia has his arm raised in victory by referee Pat Russell after he defeated Kevin Hoskins by TKO in the fifth round of their scheduled six round bout. Alongside Garcia is his trainer Vince Parra. Photo: Jim Wyatt

November 21, 2013

On Thursday evening, the Crowne Plaza Hanalei Hotel in San Diego welcomed back the Bobby D Presents troupe to their humble abode in Mission Valley for the last installment of the year of their “San Diego Fights” boxing series. Bobby D Presents benefits big time from the venue’s central location, impressive digs and increased seating. To insure a sellout crowd, the Hall of Fame promoter loaded his fight card with five of the best local fighters, and then did everything he could to insure the stiffest competition possible.

Boxer Smokin’ Joe Perez of San Diego poses for a photo with his trainer and support staff just prior to his match with Victor Capaceta of Tijuana. Photo: Jim Wyatt

(bottom left photo) At the conclusion of Bout #1, referee Pat Russell raises the arms of both Joe Perez (l) and Victor Capaceta (r) after it was announced their bout had been declared a mixed decision draw. Photos: Jim Wyatt

The eight action photos above from Bout #1 with Victor Capaceta (r) and Joe Perez (l) were provided by sports photographer Paul Gallegos.

In Bout #1, it was 23 year-old Smokin’ Joe Perez (4-0-0, 3 KOs) of San Diego who trains at the Boxing Club in La Jolla going up against Victor “Zurdo” Capaceta (3-4-2, 2 KOs) a gritty southpaw from Tijuana, B. C., Mexico.

For Capaceta, who looked impressive in his last two outings, this was his first fight in the U.S., hence, his first substantial payday, a chance to make three times the money he’s been offered in Mexico. There was no way he was going to botch this opportunity.

As far as Perez, Smokin’ Joe is on a mission to become the next bantamweight champ and nothing is going to stand in his way.

In Round #1, the slightly taller Perez got off first, landing both his solid left jab, then following with an occasional straight right. After starting off slow in Round #1, Capaceta had more confidence going into Round #2 and began to land his own arsenal of right crosses and looping lefts. Still, it was Perez who landed the quicker and harder shots.

With both the third and fourth rounds experiencing several fierce exchanges, both fighters became a bit frustrated and began to tire. By being the busier of the two in the final round, you had to figure the judges would award Capaceta the final round.

In the end, Judge Alejandro Rochin scored the bout 40-36 for Perez while judge Jose Cobian had it an inexplicable 39-37 for Capaceta, and the deciding judge Fritz Werner had it dead even at 38-38. With the announcement of the split decision draw, there was a smattering of boos from the fans backing Perez who resides in San Diego.

In the dressing area before his bout with Levan “the Wolf” Ghvamichava of Poti, Georgia, Victor “Sina” Fonseca (c) poses for a photo with his coaches/co-managers Luis Lorenzo (r) and Gabriel Quinones (l). Photo: Jim Wyatt

Just prior to his match with Victor Fonseca, Levan Ghvamichava (c) poses for a photo with his trainer Virgil Hunter and cornerman. Photo: Jim Wyatt

The above action shots were provided by photographer Paul Gallegos. (below) After it was announced Levan Ghvamichava (center) had defeated Victor Fonseca, “the Wolf” posed for photos with the lovely Ring Card Girls.

In Bout #2, it was the youngster, 20 year-old Victor “Sina” Fonseca (147.5 lbs.) of Tijuana, who trains at the Intensity MMA gym in South San Diego, taking on the more seasoned 28 year-old Levan “The Wolf” Ghvamichava (149 lbs.) from Poti, Georgia in a scheduled light welterweight six rounder.

From the outset of Thursday contest, the three-time amateur world champion (10-1, 8 KOs) found himself in a slugfest with the relentless Fonseca (6-1-1, 4 KOs). Thanks to Fonseca, the hotly contested exchanges began early and continued throughout. Slightly busier in Round #1, you’d have to give Fonseca the first round.

Then, round after round, it was Fonseca on the attack. At times this strategy cost him dearly, especially when he’d walk right into the hard counters. Without the proper sparring and the fact Fonseca took the fight on just three days notice, it was a miracle he could be so unwavering.

At the end, it was Ghvamichava redeeming himself by taking four of the six rounds. His master plan worked. What he did was allow Fonseca to pound him right and left with the power shots that were only hitting the gloves. He’d then deliver that one, sometimes two, much harder counters that at times had Fonseca’s head reeling.

Along about the fifth round, Ghvamichava hurt his right hand and despite the obvious pain, he pressed on and never showed any sign of discomfort. Likewise, Fonseca had swelling under both eyes, especially his left eye.

The judges, Pat Russell, Alejandro Rochin and Fritz Werner, all had the same scores 58-56 for Ghvamichava. At the close of the match, Fonseca, your typical never take a step back fighter, received a loud ovation from the crowd for his gallant efforts. With the win Ghvamichava goes to (11-1-0, 8 KOs), while Fonseca drops to (6-2-1, 4 KOs).

(top photo) In the dressing area prior to his match with Pablo Cupul, Prince Tiger Smalls poses for a photo with his father/trainer Priest Tiger Smalls (l) and former world heavyweight champion Chris Byrd (c) who was on hand to lend Smalls his support. (below, left) Smalls poses for a photo with Bill Crawford, owner of San Diego Combat Academy.

Prince Tiger Smalls (red trunks) battles the shorter Pablo Cupul in Bout #3.

The five action photos above plus this photo of Prince “Tiger” Smalls making his entrance into the ring were provided by sports photographer Paul Gallegos.

After featherweight Prince “Tiger” Smalls’ original opponent was a no show at the weigh in, the organizers had to scramble for a last minute replacement and came up with the always tough Pablo Cupul (8-14, 5 KOs) from nearby Lakeside, CA, by way of Merida, Yucatan.

The gutsy Cupul, who stands 5’4” tall, had no chance against the towering 6’1” Smalls who kept using his much superior jab to hit Cupul from afar. On occasion Smalls would add a hard combination to increase his advantage. This one was a mismatch from Round #1, like a llama desperately trying to reach up and hit a giraffe.

In the third round, Cupul went all out to mixed it up with the taller Smalls and that strategy proved costly. That was the time Smalls sent Cupul reeling backwards against the ropes. After chasing after Cupul, he almost had him take a seat on the canvas. Only Cupul’s amazing balance made it possible for him to stay on his feet and last out the round.

All three judges had Smalls (now 2-0-1) winning every round.

(top photo) Just prior to his match versus David Barragan, Arthur Brambila and his support staff pose for a photo in their dressing room. Photos: Jim Wyatt

At the conclusion of his bout with Arthur Brambila, David Barragan, the winner, poses for a photo with three of the lovely Ring Card Girls. Photo: Jim Wyatt

After the victory, David Barragan (c) poses for a photo with his parents.

David Barragan (7-0-1, 3 KOs) kept his undefeated record in tact by pounding his way to a six round, unanimous decision victory over the more experienced Arthur Brambila (9-20-1, 4 KOs).

Barragan was never in trouble as he brought the fight to Brambila who tried to keep the San Diego fighter at bay but his punches were far to slow and too soft to stop Barragan who was in his grill from the beginning.

Brambila was constantly against the ropes or back peddling as Barragan kept hitting the body with his powerful left hook. The combinations of uppercuts and left hooks with an occasional overhand right soon followed.

By the fifth round, Brambila looked like he was ready to go. It was at this time Barragan scored a knock down when he had Brambila trapped in the neutral corner. After ripping him with hard shots to the liver the Phoenix fighter finally took a knee.

After spitting up his lunch (hyperbole), Brambila then surprised everyone and beat the count. A second surprise followed – he survived the final round. Makes you wonder if Brambila hadn’t placed a large bet with his bookie about going the distance.

Judge Fritz Werner scored the bout 59-54 while Jose Cobian scored it 60-53 and Alejandro Rochin scored it 60-52 all for Barragan.

Just prior to his match with Aaron Garcia, Kevin Hoskins, a Dodger fan, poses for a photo in his dressing room. Photo: Jim Wyatt

The action shots from Bout #5, the Main Event, show Kevin Hoskins (blue trunks, right) doing battle with Aaron Garcia (black trunks, left). All photos: Jim Wyatt

At the conclusion of the Main Event, it was Aaron Garcia having his hand raised in victory by referee Pat Russell. Photos: Jim Wyatt

Aaron Garcia, wearing the traditional Mexican sombrero, poses for photos after getting win #13. Photo: Jim Wyatt

Where would boxing be without the lovely Ring Card Girls to keep us advised as far as which round it is? Joe Stidman (bottom center) was a big hit with the ladies and joined them for a photo op. All photos: Jim Wyatt

In the Main Event it was local favorite, super featherweight Aaron “Gavilan” Garcia (13-3-2, 4 KOs) from Vista, CA stopping the game Kevin “Hostile” Hoskins (7-3, 5 KOs) of Moreno Valley, CA in the fifth round.

The scheduled six rounder was stopped at :43 seconds of round #5 when referee Pat Russell, standing as close as possible to the combatants, realized Hoskins was getting hit repeatedly without being able to respond.

In this one, Hoskins looked creditable early and was able to hang tough with Garcia through the first three rounds. Then, in the fourth round, even though both boxers were exchanging leather, it seemed everything Hoskins threw had little or no effect on the much tougher Garcia who just kept on coming.

After winning his first six fights, the formerly impressive Hoskins has now lost three of his last four and all three of his losses were by knockout.

Revisiting Garcia’s losses: he lost to Filipino sensation  Bernabe Concepcion of Viga, Catanduanes, Philippines(32-6-1, 18 KOs) by a split decision on October 27, 2011, Abraham Lopez of La Puente, CA (17-0, 12 KOs) by a mixed decision on April 29, 2011 and Saul Ochoa of Phoenix, Arizona (6-3, 4 KOs) a third round stoppage on May 6, 2006. Ochoa now fights as a lightweight, while Concepcion and Lopez still fight as super featherweights.