Borizteca Boxing scores a knockout with Tijuana Boxing Fans

In his debut, Armando Tovar of San Diego’s House of Boxing (far right, with gloves being removed) scored an exciting first round knockout of Jose Neri shown here being attended to by coach Ray Solis and physicians from the Tijuana Boxing Commission.

August 28, 2015

In Friday’s Main Event for the IBU Middleweight Title, it was Oakland, California’s Tony Hirsch (19-6-2, 8 KOs) out-pointing Mexicali, Mexico’s Rolando “Indio” Paredes (9-3-2, 8 KOs) in their toe to toe, center of the ring, 10 round battle to the finish.

At the outset, the busier, more aggressive Paredes jumped out to an early lead by landing these solid left hooks and right crosses that kept the more tentative Hirsch flat-footed and wondering if he’d ever be able to get a punch off. Paredes was not only busier he was more defensive minded.

Then, in the fourth round, Paredes slowed somewhat. That’s when Hirsch systematically began to match his opponent’s output with the harder, head snapping jabs and occasional hooks. With the boxers matching each other’s output, it came down to which boxer had landed the more effective blows?

The judges’ scoring: Judge Leo Ibarra Bracamontes had it 97-93, Judge Benjamin Rendon had it 96-94 and judge Alejandro Rochin had it 98-92, all favoring the new IBU Middleweight Champ Tony Hirsch.

With our ringside view being the exact same as Hirsh’s nervous trainer Roberto Garcia, we differ “big-time” with the judges. It was thought that this match could have gone either way or it could have been ruled a 95-95 Draw. What made judging this match so difficult was the fact that 90% of the fighting was done on the inside and rarely with a big, looping or damaging blow.

Early on we saw a lot of quick, sneaky short left hooks and right crosses with an occasional push from by Rolando Paredes and the taller Tony Hirsch.

At the conclusion of the IBU World Middleweight Title fight, we see Tony Hirsch surrounded by his coach Roberto Garcia and seconds while having his arm raised in victory by veteran referee Jose Cobian. All photos: Jim Wyatt

In the scheduled eight round, Co-main event, lightweights, Demond “Body Shot” Brock (9-3, 3 KOs) of Kenner, Louisiana and Hector “Gunder” Garcia (4-3-1, 3 KOs) of Tijuana took turns pounding each other until there was an accidental head butt late in round three. The attending physician took one look at the nasty cut over Garcia’s right eye and called for the stoppage.

In the opening round Brock displayed the quicker hands and for all intense purposes looked to be in charge of the fight. It wasn’t until Brock slowed his pace that Garcia found his groove and started responding to match and sometimes exceed Brock’s output. Then along came that ill-fated head butt which ended what looked to be a very competitive matchup. With Garcia unable to continue, the ruling in regards to such an injury is the bout must be declared a no-contest.

(top, left) Lightweight Demond “Body Shot” Brock, wearing the fancy Mexican sombrero, climbs the stairs to make his ring entrance. (below, right) Hector Garcia is shown being on the receiving end of a short left hook from Brock.

All that hard work and then to hear the announcement of a “No-Contest” was unsettling, to say the least for the Demond Brock backers. Photos: Jim Wyatt

Not to demean the other fighters or bouts, but it was crystal clear the return to the ring of fan favorite Kenia Enriquez (13-1, 6 KOs) to face southpaw Lorena “Ratoncita” Arias (3-7-1) from Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico was the most anticipated bout of the evening.

Enriquez, the former WBO World Flyweight, and NABF Junior Flyweight champ, looked to be in great condition, high spirits as she made way to the ring. It had been almost six months since she lost by split decision to the reigning Champion Melissa McMorrow. Friday’s opponent, Arias, known for being a tough and durable opponent was being regarded as a sacrificial lamb.

From the opening bell, Enriquez went at Arias in textbook fashion by establishing her jab and then coming hard with the straight right hand. You could keep track of the number of punches that Arias landed on one hand. The end came at the 1:24 mark of round four after Enriquez trapped Arias against the ropes and unleashed her final flurry. At that point, referee Cristian Curiel noticed a deep cut over Arias’ right eye, stopped the bout and asked for the ringside physician to have a look. After the fight doctor concluded it was best that Arias not continue, Curiel waved his arms in the air to signify the end of the contest. As a result, Enriquez improves to (14-1, 7 KOs) while Arias’ record drops to (3-8-1).

Following in the footsteps of her corner people, to include her father Gustavo Pacheko Enriquez and sister Tania, Kenia Enriquez (bottom, right) makes her way to the ring.

(top) Lorena Arias makes her ring entrance alongside her trainer Paco Del Campo Lety and able cornerman Adan Gamboa.

(bottom) At the conclusion of Bout #7 we see referee Cristian Curiel raising the arm of the victorious Kenia Enriquez. All photos: Jim Wyatt

Undercard, the show’s supporting cast

Bout #8, an eight round welterweight match, had Brian “Sweet” Jones (12-3-0, 6 KOs) from Los Angeles, Calif. coming away with an easy TKO victory over Jesus “El Fresa” Valdez (4-5) of Tijuana. The end came at the 2:16 mark of round one. For all the Valdez fans out there, he was in no way prepared for the likes of Jones with his experience, plus height and reach advantage.

(top, right) Who better to introduce Brian Jones (l) to the audience but his trainer, manager and confidant Repo Rick dressed in his glittery, gaudy attire. Rick has a ring presence that one can only describe as “outrageous”. Photos: J. Wyatt

Brian Jones (r) wasted no time and went straight at the less experienced Jesus Valdez.

(top, right) Brian Jones has his arm raised in victory by referee Cristian Curiel.

Bout #6, a six rounder, had 23 year-old featherweight Jorge “Tito” Ruiz (8-2-0, 3 KOs) of Chula Vista, Calif. taking on Antonio Villa (1-14-0, 1 KO) of Tijuana. Even though Villa’s last victory was back on April 20, 2012, three years and four months ago, he always looks good and proves to be a formidable foe. On Friday night he had to be on his game when going up against the sharpshooting Ruiz who rarely if ever makes a mistake.

If you are like me, you’d also have to agree Villa’s appearance and mannerisms remind you of Jorge “El Maromero” Paez (79-14-5), the Clown Prince of Boxing who will be turning 50 years of age on October 27th. If you say, ‘No’ than this reporter needs to have his eyes checked. On Friday night, not unlike the extremely entertaining Paez, Villa was this mixture of buffoon and villain while showcasing his slick boxing skills. Someone should call the casting director for that upcoming movie of Paez’s life. Villa could easily play the part of the younger version of the legendary IBF and WBO World Featherweight Champ who now resides in Beverly Hills after getting his start in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico. 

In the above collage we’ve inserted two photos of the legendary Jorge “El Maromero” Paez so you can see the resemblance. If we had the video of this fight you’d be able to see how Antonio Villa clowned around with the more serious Jorge “Tito” Ruiz.

At the conclusion of Bout #6, San Diego’s Jorge “Tito” Ruiz, surrounded by the lovely ring card girls, has his arm raised in victory by referee Fernando Renteria.

During intermission, some of the best athletes in the sport were introduced by the show’s distinguished ring announcer, Pablo Flores, (l to r) Diego Magdaleno, with his new hair color, Amaris “Diamond Girl” Quintana, Tania Enriquez, the show’s co-promoter Saul Rios, Sandra “La Perla Negra” Robles, Hector “Charro Negro” Velazquez, Antonio “Relentless” Orozco and Miguel “Zurdo” Sanchez. Photo: J. Wyatt

Bout #5, a six round bantamweight contest, had 20 year-old, southpaw Michael Ruiz Jr. (9-4-2, 3 KOs) from Fresno, Calif. taking on a late replacement Darwin “Chocorrolito” Hernandez (0-2) from Tijuana. What can you say? Ruiz, who usually fights tougher competition, went through Hernandez like a knife through butter to earn the TKO victory at 2:47 of the first round.

(top, left) Like a raging bull, Michael Ruiz Jr. (r) went after Darwin Hernandez.

After the early stoppage of Darwin Hernandez in round one, we see referee Fernando Renteria raising the arm of the victorious Michael Ruiz Jr.

In Bout #4, a four round welterweight contest, it took Armando Tovar of the House of Boxing, Paradise Hills, San Diego, all of 1:32 to destroy Jose Guadalupe Neri (0-2-1) of Rosarito, B. C., Mexico. Tovar, making his professional debut, looked impressive.

The quick knockout of Jose Guadalupe Neri of Tijuana by Armando Tovar of San Diego will be talked about for a long time.

(bottom) At the conclusion of Bout #4, we see Armando Tovar (c) having his arm raised in victory by referee Fernando Renteria.

The victorious Armando Tovar (center) is joined by his trusty support staff of (l to r) Greg Diaz, cutman Juan Ramirez, Carlos Barragan Jr. and Carlos Barragan, Sr.

Bout #3 was a four round cruiserweight match between George Escalante of Paradise Hills, San Diego, Calif. and Angel De Jesus Estrada from Tijuana. In this one, Escalante, showed his versatility by switching back and forth between righty and lefty while working over Estrada’s body. After Estrada’s hands dropped, he started using these clubbing overhand rights to beat his opponent into submission. With the win coming at the 1:59 mark of round three, Escalante goes to 4-0 with 3 KOs, while Estrada drops to (0-4).

The flamboyant George Escalante crouches for a photo before entering the ring.

After getting pummeled from pillar to post, George Escalante’s opponent, Angel Estrada finally just sat there till referee Juan Manuel Morales Lee had finished his 10-count.

(bottom) At the conclusion of Bout #3, referee Juan Manuel Morales Lee raises the arm of the victorious George Escalante.

In Bout #2, it was super featherweight Jesus Trujillo (3-0, 3 KOs) from the Anderson Silva Muay Thai College, Torrance, Calif. dominating first timer Alejandro Nunez (0-1) of Tijuana to secure a first round stoppage.

Brawler Jesus Trujillo (black trunks) hits you hard. Just ask Alejandro Nunez (white trunks) who spent the majority of his bout fleeing Trujillo’s heavy hands.

(top) Jesus Trujillo consoles his opponent Alejandro Nunez who during their contest got battered repeatedly. (bottom) At the conclusion of Bout #3, referee Juan Manuel Morales Lee (r) raises the arm of the victorious Jesus Trujillo.

In the opener, a featherweight clash, it was Mike Haigood (1-3) of San Diego getting the best of Manuel “Vaquero” Sandoval (0-4) of Tijuana, to earn his first Pro victory with scores of 40-36 twice and 39-37.

(bottom, right) At the conclusion of Bout #1, we see Mike Haigood having his arm raised in victory by referee Juan Manuel Morales Lee.

Overall, this Borizteca Boxing Management Group promotion gets high marks. For instance, consider the complete transformation that took place at the Salon Mezzanine in Tijuana which took only a few days. 

The workers at the Salon Mezzanine in Tijuana were told to transform their 2,200 seat Grand Ballroom into a showplace for boxing and that’s just what they did.

It was suggested to the referees (l to r) Cristian Curiel, Jose Cobian, Fernando Renteria and Juan Jose Ramirez that they wear their favorite color to this festive show and as a result this distinguish group almost had every color of the rainbow represented.

The only real snafu? Initially, the event was to be Live Streamed over the internet by Global Sports Streaming but their TV crew and truck, full of equipment, had difficulties at the border crossing in San Ysidro. So that component had to scraped. With this being their first venture or should we say adventure into Mexico, it became a memorable learning experience for GSS.

We also missed out on hearing their rookie crew of boxing announcers, internet phenom Radio Rahim, former ESPN and Fox Sports reporter Rebecca Grant, plus Las Vegas Lightweight contender Diego “Mr. Superb” Magdaleno (28-1, 12 KOs) who is scheduled to face Terry Flanagan (28-0) for the WBO World Title at the Manchester Arena in Lancashire, United Kingdom on October 10, 2015.

This promotion company, GSS, Global Sports Streaming, was willing to air the complete fight card in High Definition TV and deliver it all over the world through their You Tube platform. Mark my words, in the future you’ll be able to watch their boxing shows on your mobile device, tablet, desktop or Over the Top (OTT) device. But for now, you’ll have to wait until the later part of September when they’ll be broadcasting a show from Long Island, New York, N. Y.