Eric Martinez gets quality win over Ivan Zavala at Las Pulgas
The heavyweight clash between Juan Manuel “Buffalo” Dominguez of Tijuana (l) and Victor “Tiburon” Bobadilla of Rosarito (r) had everyone talking. Prior to the match, sports reporters were advised, “Bobadilla could be the second coming of Butterbean.” Photo: J. Wyatt
September 25, 2013
Everyone you talked to said the same thing, “What a great match!!”
On Wednesday evening, Eric “Facebook” Martinez of the Pedro Mora gym in Tijuana, B. C., Mexico found himself in another thrilling match at Salon Las Pulgas. The quality win came over super featherweight Ivan “Oso” Zavala from the Gonzalez Gym, the promotional group who was hosting the show. With the loss Zavala drops to (5-3-1, 2 KOs) while Martinez improves to (8-0-1, 5 KOs).
Even with the slightest slip up, Zavala was right there to make Martinez pay, either with a left hook, an uppercut, a hold and hit or even a punch after the bell.
Much praise must go to Martinez who again was masterful while weathering those hard punches from Zavala, used deception, feints, loaded up at times while other times stymied Zavala with the hard jab. Just as he did when facing Daniel Nava in his pro debut, Martinez tracked his punch stats and made certain he landed three punches to every one that his opponent landed.
(bottom photo) Eric Martinez (l) pins Ivan Zavala against the ropes.
(bottom photo) Erick Martinez has his arm raised in victory by referee Juan Jose Ramirez. All photos: Jim Wyatt
On the undercard:
In Bout #1, it was super featherweight Jose Galvez (6-0-0, 5 KOs) remaining tall in the saddle as he dominated Adalbert “Kiki” Valenzuela (1-4-0) from start to finish. The one thing he didn’t do was get the knockout which now ends his streak of five straight.
In Bout 1, it was Jose Galvez of Tijuana earning an unanimous decision victory over the game Alberto Valenzuela of Tijuana. Photos: Jim Wyatt
At the conclusion of his bout with Kiky Valenzuela, Jose Galvez (center) has his arms raised in victory by the lovely ring card girls on loan from the Hong Kong Gentleman’s Club.
In Bout #2, it was Juan Manuel “Buffalo” Dominquez (4-1-0, 2 KOs) getting an unanimous decision victory over Victor “Tiburon” Bobadilla of Rosarito, B. C., Mexico who was making his pro-debut.
Where Bobadilla got the name “Tiburon” is a mystery because he does not look or move like a “Shark.” He reminds you of the second coming of Butterbean.
In Round #1, Bobadilla came out like an enforcer ready to pounce on Dominquez. As a result, he had Dominquez cornered several times, had him on the run and on one occasion actually had Dominguez turn his back to flee.
Then for the remainder of the bout, Bobadilla was at a distinct disadvantage as he began to run out of gas. Like the perpetual waves at the beach, the streaming sweat from both fighters came in torrents. Slowly but surely Bobadilla’s punches lost power and became short arm punches starting just inches from Dominquez’s head.
The tide really turned in the fourth round after Bobadilla was penalized a point for holding and hitting. After the bell sounded to end the fight, the bruisers showed their heart by continuing to throw punches. With one of the shortest referees in the sport, Juan Morales Lee officiating, the fight continued long after that final bell.
One of the bouts that had everyone talking was the heavyweight clash between Juan Manuel “Buffalo” Dominguez and Victor “Tiburon” Bobadilla of Rosarito, B. C., Mexico
At the conclusion of their bout, the victorious Juan Manuel Dominguez (l) and Victor Bobadilla pose for a photo with the Ring Card Girls.
Bout #3, saw the return of the Giant Killer. Who’s the “Giant Killer”? The very short Angel “Tamalito” Lopez (2-0) from the Chettos Gym in Tijuana who is accustomed to taking on the much taller opponents and then defeating them with blows that come from every conceivable angle.
His opponent on Wednesday night was Javier “Wachy” Miranda of the Zapata Gym in Tijuana. Unlike his predecessors Miranda secured an unanimous decision victory by never letting Lopez get inside to use his formidable uppercuts. Miranda’s punches were far more accurate and had much more whip to them. Still, the mighty mite never took a step back and fought valiantly to the bitter end.
(bottom right) In low spirits, Angel Lopez looks rather despondent as he gazes across at his opponent, the formidable Javier Miranda.
Javier Miranda has his arm raised in victory after defeating the Giant Killer, Angel Lopez.
In Bout #4, it was Heriberto “Tremendo” Delgado (9-0-0, 5 KOs) getting the best of Carlos Omar Casillas of Tijuana who was making his pro-debut.
This one was never in doubt as the seasoned veteran, Delgado slowly but surely landed the necessary blows to outpoint Casillas. While he wasn’t much on offense, Casillas did exhibit a lot of poise and much advanced defensive skills as he stood there toe to toe with Delgado who is considered a top prospect from the Capi Gym.
In bout #4, it was Heriberto “Tremendo” Delgado (bottom right) getting the best of Carlos Omar Casillas (bottom left).
Heriberto Delgado and his supporters celebrate the victory.
In Bout #5 it was Mario Diaz (0-2) losing an unanimous decision to Emilio Bojorquez Sr.’s pride and joy, Christain “El Corallito” Nieto Ayala (3-0, 1 KO).
Even though Ayala was in charge throughout, he couldn’t stop the gutsy Diaz who took one blow after another while spending the majority of the bout in the center of the ring. Their infighting had Diaz with the softer arm punches trying to match Ayala who knew how to take that one step back and unload the much harder, free swinging variety.
According to judges Fernando Barboza, Sergio Lechuga and Guillermo Moreno, Ayala took every round.
At the conclusion of his bout with Mario Diaz, Christian Nieto Ayala (bottom right) poses for a photo with his mentor Emilio Bojorquez Sr.
