Pro Boxing at Las Pulgas competes with Los Xolos

Just prior to their Super Bantamweight State Title bout, we see Edivaldo “Indio” Ortega (r) and Francisco Pina (c) posing center stage for a photo. Photo: Jim Wyatt

Wednesday evening’s Main Event at Las Pulgas, featured Edivaldo “El Indio” Ortega (15-0-1, 7 KOs) of Tijuana coming away with a 10 round unanimous decision victory over Ensenada, Mexico’s Francisco Piña (9-9-5, 2 KOs) to win the Baja California State Super Bantamweight title.

For the first five rounds of Bout #9, this was a heated contest as the two boxers took turns pummeling each other. As the bout entered the later rounds, it appeared Pina’s confidence began to wane. From that point, Pina couldn’t mount what you would call a serious offensive. To his credit, he did take whatever came his way and never appeared to be in serious trouble.

Considered by many to be one of Tijuana’s most promising young talents, Ortega did have some problems in this contest and in the outing before against Enrique Quevedo.

To start with, Ortega had trouble making weight. His prior day weigh-in was delayed for well over an hour after he showed up 3½ pounds overweight. Also, Ortega looked good but he didn’t dominate Pina as expected. Insiders told us Ortega is getting impatient. He wants to move up in the rankings and start making some real money. He could do just that if he were fighting in the states against the top tier opponents. In essence, the stumbling block was the fact that Ortega’s handlers still hadn’t arranged to get him his visa.

Like the crowd, the judges had Ortega winning in a landslide. Judge Lorena Gaxiola scored the bout (99-91), while judges Sergio Lechuga and Omar Ortiz had Ortega winning every round (100-90).

Early on we saw Edivaldo Ortega (l) and Francisco Pina (r) going all out to impress the three judges.

Here we see Ortega (l) landing a solid left uppercut to the head of Pina.

In this single round, we saw Francisco Pina (l) come alive and unload his own flurry of punches on Ortega (r) to perhaps win over the judges.

Edivaldo Ortega (r) has his arm raised in victory by referee Juan Jose Ramirez after the three judges’ scores were announced (100-90, 100-90, 99-91) all favoring Ortega to secure the Baja California Super Bantamweight Title. Photo: Jim Wyatt

At the conclusion of his bout, Francisco Pina graciously posed for a photo.

In the Co-main event, Bout #8, we saw Tijuana Strawweight Julio Cesar “Gatito” Felix (now 18-4, 7 KOs) after looking masterful in his defeat of Noe “El Guerrero” Medina of Mexico City who now drops to 10-3, 6 KOs.

Things were a lot different back on June 2nd of this year when Felix couldn’t even get out of the first round. He was knocked down twice from body shots which led to a round one KO loss. On that sorry night Felix faced Moises Fuentes (14-1) for the WBO World Strawweight Title.

In Wednesday’s contest, Felix’s first fight back after that dramatic first round KO loss, Felix started slow and may have even lost round one. Then, from round two on, you knew who held the reigns. With each of their exchanges, Felix made certain he was ahead on the punch stats and often punctuated each round with a late flurry. By Round #7, Medina had been reduced to throwing mere short arm punches and trying to work the midsection.

All three judges scored the bout 79-73 in favor of Julio Cesar “Gatito” Felix.

After defeating Noe Medina, Julio Cesar Felix has his arm raised in victory by veteran referee Juan Manuel Morales Lee. Photo: J. Wyatt

Here we see Felix (l) landing a right uppercut flush on Medina’s nose.

Most times we saw Medina (l) working over Felix’s midsection.

After his losing battle with Julio Cesar Felix, Noe Medina (r) graciously took the time for a photo with his trainer/coach. Photo: Jim Wyatt

Showing their mutual respect, Julio Cesar Felix (r) and Noe Medina (l) embrace at the conclusion of their grueling eight rounds. Photo: Jim Wyatt

On the undercard:

In the show’s opener, Bout #1, it was Angel Rodriguez (a resident of Tijuana for six months by way of Irapi, Sucre, Venezuela) improving to 4-0, 2 KOs after scoring his second straight KO victory. The victim this time was Juan Antonio “Panadero” Rivera (0-1) of Mexicali, B. C., Mexico who on this night was making his Pro Debut.

With the confidence of a world champ, Rodriguez, often with his hands down by his side, slipped punches and flailed away at the defenseless Rivera with either a left hook, right cross, an over hand right, the whole repertoire. It was rare when one of his punches was off target. At 2:03 of that first round, this big, overhand right landed to end Rivera’s night and register Rodriguez’s four victory, his second straight KO victory.

At the 2:04 mark of Round #1: Angel Rodriguez (4-0) stops Juan Antonio Rivera (0-1). 

In Bout #2, it was Tijuana middleweight Antonio Gutierrez (7-0-1, 5 KOs) getting the best of Israel “The Beast” Perez of Tecate, B. C., Mexico.

With Gutierrez being much taller and Perez making his pro-debut, it didn’t take long before the crowd started pulling for the underdog. In the first round, that experience edge wasn’t noticeable as the two pugilist gave a good account of themselves. Even though both were extremely active right through Round three, it appeared Gutierrez’s ring generalship and the occasional two and three punch combinations would win over the judges.

In Round four, Perez’s wide shots became even wider, while Gutierrez’s punches were straighter and had sonar. Getting hit quite regular didn’t seem to phase Perez as his chin was like granite.

In the closing minute, Perez flung this desperation haymaker shot that glazed Gutierrez’s chin as he was backing up. By this time, the crowd not only appreciated Perez’s staying power, but that desperation attempt for a late knockout so charmed the crowd.

All three judges, Lorena Gaxiola, Joselyn Ortiz and Diana De La Mora, had Gutierrez winning every round.

In Bout #2, it was the bigger man, Antonio Gutierrez of Tijuana versus the shorter man Israel Perez of Tecate, B. C., Mexico. Photo: Jim Wyatt

Antonio Gutierrez has additional photos taken after his defeat of Israel Perez. Photo: J. Wyatt

Israel Perez poses for a photo after his defeat of Antonio Gutierrez.

Bout #3 between Jose Galvez (1-0) and Ray Galindo making his debut, was a crowd pleaser. There was absolutely no let up. Galindo, a southpaw, started the pummeling off early and then back came the righty, Galvez. At any moment you figured the referee would be stepping in to at least issue an eight count.

By Round #2, Galvez had figured out his opponent and landed a straight right hand that sent Galindo to the canvas. After Galindo got back up, Galvez was all over him like bees on their honey.  After an accumulation of blows, Galindo went down for the second time, his final time.

Ray Galindo (R) and his coach pose for a photo after their loss to Jose Galvez.

Jose Galvez (L) has his arm raised in victory after defeating Ray Galindo in Bout #3.

Bout #4 featured a match-up between two popular Tijuana light welterweights, Daniel Nava (4-0-1, 2 KOs) and Erick Martinez who was making his pro debut.

What a way to begin your career – they have you facing Jackie Nava’s younger cousin, someone who has been preordained to be a champion and of course this Nava has his own cheering section. Unbeknownst to you, your cheering section is quite formidable and holds their own against the competition.

So with the competition in the ring and the competition in the stands, this one surprised everyone and ended in a draw.  Two judges scored the bout even 38-38 while the third had it 39-38 for Nava.

When a tie is almost as good as a win. On Wednesday night, Erick Martinez (L), made his pro debut. His opponent was the more experienced and better known Daniel Nava (R).

In Bout #5, it was Luis “Pantera” Nery (4-0, 1 KO) continuing his domination over Tijuana’s best  bantamweights. His latest victim was the previously unbeaten and much taller Joan “Amarillo” Sandoval (1-1-1, 1 KO), also of Tijuana.

With Sandoval continuing to fire away with his dynamite like blasts, it was a miracle how the elusive Nery was able to sidestep most or duck under the powerful blows. Seemingly in control throughout, he darted right and then left staying out of range. Meanwhile Sandoval seemed content to work over Nery’s midsection in hopes that his hands would drop. The judges gave Nery an unanimous decision 40-36 and 39-37 twice.

Luis Nery (L) has his arm raised in victory after defeating Joan Sandoval in Bout #5 at Salon Las Pulgas in Tijuana’s downtown. All photos: Jim Wyatt

At the conclusion of Bout #5, Joan Sandoval (L) poses for a photo with his coach.

After Bout #8, San Diego light welterweight Israel “Mr. KO” Arellano (5-0, 4 KOs) remains unbeaten but he did have his KO streak broken. Tijuana’s Adan “Ojitos” Gamboa (1-15) proved to be one tough hombre. You can forget about his record, when Gamboa sets his mind to doing something, that’s just what he’s going to do.

After Gamboa spent the majority of Wednesday night’s four rounder being worked over as if he were a punching bag, he kept on moving just like that Energizer Bunny.

The formidable Adan Gamboa (C) and his support group pose for photo before walking out to the ring to meet his opponent for the evening, Israel Arellano in Bout #8. Photo: Jim Wyatt

Following Adan Gamboa to the ring is his opponent Israel Arellano (C) with his supporting cast (l to r), co-manager Lou Messina, coach Emilio Bojorquez, boxer Israel Arellano, co-manager Saul Rios, and trainers Carlos Barragan Jr. and Sr.

Getting full extension into this overhand right is Israel Arellano (L).

Here we see Israel Arellano (L) unloading a left hook to the side of Adan Gamboa’s head. The streaming blood came from Arellano’s nose as Gamboa proved to be one tough hombre.

Despite the constant pummeling, Adan Gamboa (R) hung in there to deliver his own punishment on Israel Arellano.

At the conclusion of their contest, Israel Arellano went over to Adan Gamboa’s corner to congratulate Gamboa on his amazing performance. Photo: Jim Wyatt

Israel Arellano has his arm raised in victory by referee Juan Jose Ramirez after defeating Adan Gamboa in Bout #8. Photo: Jim Wyatt

Bout #9 After getting knocked down in the first round, bantamweight Heriberto “Tremendo” Delgado (3-0, 1 KO) of Tijuana survived that earlier mishap plus the in-your-face style of Kevin Moreno (0-1) to land his own KO blow, a straight right hand in the third to put his opponent down for good. Official time was 2:27.

In Bout #9, the boxers took turns knocking each other down. In the end it was Heriberto Delgado (L rear) knocking out Kevin Moreno, still down on the canvas. Photo: Jim Wyatt

Heriberto Delgado gets a ride on his mate’s shoulders after the victory.

After his victory Heriberto Delgado (R) has his arm raised in victory by referee Juan Jose Ramirez. Photos: Jim Wyatt