Ensenada Press conference for “Storm at the Port” Boxing Show
Principles in the presentation of “Tormento en el puerto” translation “Storm in the Port” pose for photos at Thursday’s Press Conference at the San Nicolas Hotel. The Boxing Show presented by the Borizteca Boxing Management Group will take place Friday evening August 15, 2014 at the Gimanasio Oscar ‘Tigre’ Garcia in downtown Ensenada. All photos: Jim Wyatt
August 8, 2014
From the looks of today’s Press Conference in Ensenada, there’s a ton of interest in the upcoming boxing show scheduled for Friday, August 15 at the Gimnasio Oscar ‘Tigre’ Garcia in Ensenada’s downtown City Center.
Without further ado let’s get right to the transcript of today’s Press Conference.
Monica Abedith Rico, a well-known female boxing trainer/manager from Tijuana served as the Master of Ceremonies: “Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. First and foremost, I would like to extend my warmest welcome to you all and thank you for joining us. At this time, I’d also like to thank the residents of Ensenada, as well as the business community. They have been very gracious and accepted us with open arms.
Prior to Friday’s Press Conference, the Master of Ceremonies Abedith Rico was joined by (l to r) Lou Messina, Alexis Canett’s co-manager, boxer Alexis Canett and the CEO of Borizteca Boxing, Saul Rios. Photo: Jim Wyatt
“Next, I’d like to thank Iván “Choko” Hernández, the newly elected President of the Ensenada Boxing Commission. On September 25th, it will be exactly 10 years to the day that Mr. Hernandez defeated this dominant southpaw and now Hall of Famer Marcellus “Too Sharp” Johnson (44-3) to become the WBO Super Flyweight World Champion. In that fight, Ivan had to knock Johnson down twice before finally stopping him in the eighth round. Up to that fight, Johnson had an unblemished record in world title fights of 12-0.
“Ivan went on to fight such greats as Fernando Montiel, Israel Vazquez and Joel Brunker. It wasn’t until last August, after 14 years in the fight game, that the Champ finally hung up the gloves.
The President of the Ensenada Boxing Commission addresses the media.
“From our host, the San Nicolas Hotel to the printer of our tickets, Imprenta Olimpica, from the maker of our banners, Alta Imagen Digital, to the hard working fighters and trainers. We owe you all a big debt of gratitude.
“At this time, I’d like to introduce Saul Rios, a former boxer himself and now CEO of the Borizteca Boxing Management Group:
Even before the 1 p.m. start of the Press Conference, Saul Rios, the CEO of the Borizteca Boxing Management Group was in demand for interviews like this one with a young lady from the Televisa Ensenada TV Network.
Rios: “Thank you all for coming. From the outset, it’s been our intent to put on a great show but now, with all the assistance we’ve received and the fanfare, the advertising on TV by Televisa, it’s become more like a noble quest to produce an event that fans will be talking about for a long time.
“It’s also been our desire to use this first show, first show of what we hope will be many shows to come, to establish a strong foundation. One that we can build on to eventually produce 12 fights a year, one each month. That’s why we’ve gone the extra mile to make certain the fighters selected to appear on this inaugural fight card have what it takes to give the fans a great show.
“The Borizteca Boxing Management Group consists of:
Dr. Cesar Perez Mejorado – our local event co-ordinator and Public Relations Manager
Not present, Octavio Augie Ojeda, VP of Finances & Operations, a former Major League Baseball player, shortstop for the Chicago Cubs (2000-2003), Minnesota Twins (2004) and Arizona Diamondbacks (2007-2010).
And finally Lou Messina, another manager/trainer who’s been assisting me as my Director of Operations and has helped big time in the difficult process of matchmaking.
And we can’t forget the input from Jose Guardado, not only a former champion in both boxing and kickboxing, he’s responsible for developing the majority of the talented fighters in Ensenada, a few you will see on this upcoming fight card. He’s helped us in so many ways.”
(l to r) boxer Victor “Sina” Fonseca, president of the Ensenada Boxing Commission Ivan Hernandez, CEO of the Borizteca Boxing Management Group Saul Rios, Public Relations Manager Dr. Cesar Perez, Matchmaker Lou Messina and finally boxer Mario “Rocky” Miraz who is the headliner on the upcoming fight card.
“For those interested,” Rios continued, “on Friday morning, August 15 at 10 a.m., on the day of the show, we will have a luxury tour bus waiting at the San Ysidro border crossing. What you do is cross the border, walk straight ahead for 120 yards to where the yellow cabs await their patrons. At that same location, we’ll have our luxury bus which will then bring you here to the San Nicolas Hotel & Casino in Ensenada.
“If you are interested in this getaway package, we’ll also include a Wine Country Tour, a room at the San Nicolas Hotel with Continental Breakfast, plus a VIP pass to see the show, and then you get your return trip back to San Ysidro, all this for just $155 per person, less if you’d rather not take advantage of the tour of the Wine Country.”
After everyone had a chance to add their thoughts, a copy of the bout sheet was handed to all attendees.
Mario “Rocky” Miraz addresses the assembly of friends and members of the media which included TV, Print and Internet. All photos: Jim Wyatt
Rios continued: “In our Main Event we have light welterweight Mario “Rocky” Meraz (21-4-0, 17 KOs) of Ensenada going up against Lizandro de los Santos (22-11-0, 9 KOs) of Agua Prieta, Sonora.
(top) Oscar Alexis “Pillo” Canett poses for a photo with his coaches. (below, left) Canett (l) addresses the media. (below, right) Victor Fonseca addresses the media.
“In our co-main event we have Adrian Nunez (3-0-0, 1 KO) of Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico going up against Oscar Alexis “Pilo” Canett (5-0-0, 3 KOs) of Ensenada.
“Canett, a former kick boxer, has only been boxing for a year and a half and yet he’s now preparing for his 7th pro fight, all within 14 months. One of his fights was ruled a no-contest. Suffice to say, Canett is an amazing talent.”
“His opponent, Adrián Núñez Ponce, who came up through the Amateur ranks, is a well schooled fighter who hails from Havana, Cuba. He has been training with the well respected Leonel R. Viciedo Dominguez from Buenos Aires, Argentina.
On Friday, it was a family affair as Alexis Canett was joined by his father plus wife Yareli, son Jonathan, daughter Francesca and mates from Guardado’s Gym.
“In our other co-main event, we have Victor “Sina” Fonseca (8-3-1, 6 KOs) of Tijuana, the son-in-law of the former NABF Flyweight and Super Flyweight Champion Miguel “Maikito” Martinez going up against Juan “El Feroz” Valenzuela (6-4-0, 3 KOs) of Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico.
“Like Canett, the 21 year old Fonseca has been getting better and better each fight. Why are the two so focused? Because both of these young men are married with children and as a consequence they are very focused. Plus, Fonseca has had an opportunity to spar with many of the best fighters in the sport – people like the Arellano brothers, Israel and Antonio, Antonio Orozco, Alan Sanchez, Oscar Godoy and Mercito Gesta.
Out at poolside, Victor “Sina” Fonseca (c) poses for a photo with his trainer Jose Cital (r) and co-manager Gabriel Quinones (l).
With Victor “Sina” Fonseca being from Tijuana, he wanted to stay longer in Ensenada and see all the sites.
“In what they are calling an old fashion grudge match, Donnie “Pitbull” Davis of Topeka, Kansas, a veteran of 13 campaigns, says he’s bringing his mean streak to wipe the smile off the face of Vinnie “American Nightmare” Carita (8-1-1, 8 KOs) from Pembroke, Maine.
“Carita’s claim to fame? The 29 year-old, court officer, is the current WBU Americas Cruiserweight title holder and the IBU North American Cruiserweight champion. When asked about his renown for knocking people out and the boasting from Davis, he told us, “I’ve got nothing against Davis and I never want to hurt anyone, but I am coming for the knockout.”
Asked why he wanted to take this fight since it is so far from his home state of Massachusetts, he said, “I love boxing, been doing it since I was seven years old. Its hard to get fights in my area, so I have to travel … a lot.”
“Next, it will be Jorge “El Bandido” Escalante taking on Adrian Montes of Mexicali in a light heavyweight match.”
Information provided earlier stated: “The 29 year-old Escalante, who trains at the Gladiator School of Boxing in Spring Valley, CA, made his successful pro-debut back on April 24th when he stopped fellow debutant Alejandro Castorena of Tijuana at the Hangar 27 Night Club in Tijuana in the second round. With these two light heavyweights being big bangers, it’s almost a guarantee this fight will not go the distance.
“Escalante, who comes from a family of big eaters, got into the sport to lose weight. At one time, he weighed as much as 240 pounds. He now weighs between 172 and 175 pounds. In a normal workout, he’s been known to lose as much as seven pounds. To improve his boxing skills, this late bloomer has traveled all over to spar. He credits his steady growth to his mates at the Gladiator School of MMA & Boxing.
“Back on December 26, 2012, shortly after dark, Escalante, out jogging, became an impromptu hero after pulling a 19 year-old accident victim out of his auto after it had careened off the highway and landed in the Sweetwater River. Witnesses said the car must have been going close to or exceeding 100 miles per hour before flipping over and over and ending up with the wheels sticking out of the water. Within a short time, the car was almost completely submerged.
“Prior to that accident, nine people had died along that same curve. Amongst the praise for his gallantry came the more whimsical remarks from friends: “Your quick thinking broke the curse!” “Wow!! That is awesome! Good thing you were there to save a life. Best present anyone can give” and finally a jokester said “the car must have been thirsty.”
Rios: “In a super featherweight clash, we have Eric “Young Danger” Jimenez of Tijuana challenging Adam Fiel of Vacaville, California.
“Then, we have 6’6” Rafael “El Grande” Rios (1-0) of San Diego by way of Tijuana taking on Ensenada’s Román Borquez (1-5-1). In Rios’ debut against Edgar “Porky” Najera in Tijuana on August 1st, he did very well and even knocked Najera down in round two to secure the easy victory.
“Also on the undercard, we have two lightweights from Ensenada making their pro debut Zeus Valenzuela and Reynaldo Morales. With this being a cross-town rivalry, it should be a dandy.
With posters, signs, banners and billboards all over a town and the six to eight TV commercials to begint airing daily beginning on Saturday, August 9th, it seems like a no-brainer that this venue will be sold out.
Abedith Rico finished the Press Conference by saying: “As of today, tickets are still available. General Admission is 100 pesos, Ringside is 200 pesos and VIP placement is 300 pesos. The boxers will weigh-in for Friday’s show on Thursday, August 14th at 12:30 p.m. at the Gimnasio Oscar ‘Tigre’ Garcia at Calle Novena #1367 located between Avenida Espinoza and Avenida Guadalupe just eight blocks from the San Nicolas Hotel. Again, thank you all for coming.”
