Fuentes, Capaceta, Montgomery upset the favorites at the Crowne Plaza

In between rounds, Fernando Fuentes receives an assist from his corner. In a gutsy performance Fuentes defeated the favorite Christian Bojorquez. Photo: J. Wyatt

San Diego, Friday, May 30, 2014

As they say, you can always expect the unexpected when it comes to boxing. 

After local promoter Bobby De Philippis of Bobby D Presents was forced to cancel both the Amaris Quintana and Adrian Vargas bouts from his May 30th fight card at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Mission Valley, most people figured the latest offering was doomed to being a very, ho-hum affair for local boxing patrons.

That forecast, like the weather forecasts predicting rain in San Diego, never materialized. And to whom do we owe credit? On Friday night, there were three “I could have given up, but I didn’t” dramatic fights where the visiting underdog would not accept defeat and by doing so, surprised us all.

If you’re a boxing fan, these types of performances alone are worth the price of admission. And to be truthful, doesn’t everyone have an affinity for or inclination to root for the underdog?

Fernando Fuentes and his dad look across the ring at the celebrated Christian Bojorquez of Tijuana, B.C., Mexico. All photos: Jim Wyatt

(bottom) Fernando Fuentes (l) has to be surprised to see the formidable Christian Bojorquez (r) covering up.

One surprise was seeing the nonstop holding by Christian Bojorquez (l) and yet not once did we see a point deducted. Photos: Jim Wyatt

(top) You could see it in his face. Fernando Fuentes had his doubts while awaiting the announcement of the scores. (top, right) After the scores were read, Christian Bojorquez shows good sportsmanship and claps for his opponent.

The opener, a four round featherweight match, featured fan favorite Christian “Huevo” Bojorquez (11-0, 2 KOs) of Tijuana who weighed in at 125½ pounds to face 19 year-old Fernando Fuentes (3-2, o KOs) of Hemet, CA who weighed 121 pounds, the agreed upon catch weight. In order for the fight to take place, the Fuentes camp had to sign off on this appreciable difference in their weights. Bojorquez, a pro for five years, should have known better. He hasn’t fought at 121 pounds since November 17, 2011.

As Amateurs, both Bojorquez in Mexico and Fuentes in Southern California, were considered finesse boxers who were masterful at out boxing their opponents. Bojorquez, with 150 plus Amateur bouts was both a Baja California State Champion as well as Mexican National Champion before turning pro in 2010. 

Fuentes and his Real Deal Boxing Troupe from Hemet, CA often ventured south to San Diego to compete in our local LBC 44 USA Amateur shows. Each time they did, you knew that Fuentes and his mates would end up taking home the majority of the trophies.     

With Bojorquez training locally at the Undisputed Gym in San Diego, less than six miles from the Crowne Plaza, and the Fuentes’ family and friends living 90 plus miles away, there was no doubt which boxer would have the biggest and loudest fan base. 

In the first round which featured many heated exchanges, Fuentes added a late flurry to steal the round.  

Then, late in round two, Bojorquez either got caught with a short left hook or butted heads to open up this nasty cut over his right eye. After the blood started to trickle down, Fuentes became even more aggressive, more confident. All the while the partisan crowd shouted at the top of their lungs for their hero, “Huevo, Huevo, Huevo!!!”

Being sapped of his strength and taking far too many blows to the head, you could soon see Bojorquez tiring. Meanwhile, Fuentes sensed that he was the stronger of the two and pressed to pour it on. Needing a breather, Bojorquez then resorted to covering up, pushing Fuentes’ head down and holding. The holding became so blatant that some fight fans started calling out for a point deduction.

In the end, judges Jose Cobian and Tom Taylor gave Fuentes every round with 40-36 scores, while judge Tony Crebs gave Bojorquez one round and scored it 39-37 Fuentes.

(top, right) Guillermo Castillo (r) was told he would be facing a rookie making his debut. Brahmabigi “Rowdy” Montgomery (l) from Los Angeles, CA was much more than anyone expected. All photos: Jim Wyatt

(top, left) Rowdy Montgomery is ecstatic after hearing the announcement of his first pro victory. (top, right) Montgomery has his arm raised in victory by referee Jose Cobian after defeating Guillermo Castillo. All photos: Jim Wyatt

Bout #2 featured Guillermo Castillo (1-0) of San Diego (160 lbs.) going up against Brahmabigi “Rowdy” Montgomery (158 lbs.) of Los Angeles, CA in his Pro-debut. 

At the outset, the 6’1” Rowdy, with his height and reach advantage just circled about the ring daring Castillo to make the first move. After he and Castillo exchanged a few punches, Rowdy’s confidence grew and he started zeroing in with his head snapping jabs. 

Each time Castillo got off one of his wayward punches, Rowdy came right back to pepper him with two and three punch combinations. As his confidence grew, so did the punish he inflicted on Castillo.

By the end of round two, it was clear Rowdy had superior hand speed, better footwork and overall power behind each of his well leverage punches.

Late in round #3, after getting hit by four, solid, unanswered blows to the head, Castillo amazingly had the presence of mind to grab Rowdy in a bear hug so he could survive the round.

In between rounds, Castillo’s corner must have advised him to go for the knockout because he came out swinging. In the end, it was all for naught as Rowdy was able to avoid the wild swings. All three judges saw it the same, 40-36 for Rowdy.

During a brief intermission celebrity guests were invited up to the ring. From TV favorite Rod Luck to past and present boxers like Chris Martin, Saul Rios and Adrian Vargas. Tijuana’s Flyweight champion Kenia Enriquez was joined by Amaris Quintana (l) and Andrea Medina (r).

(top, right) Undefeated welterweight Adrian Vargas had this photo taken of his family – Adrian Vargas Jr., Dana, Anahi and himself.

Bout #3 featured another local favorite, super middleweight, Ulises Sierra (6-0-1, 4 KOs) from the Undisputed Gym, Downtown, taking on Cromwell Gordon (4-9-0, 4 KOs), a Las Vegas gym owner who’s family emigrated to the U. S. from Belize when he was just 10.

In round one, the affable Mr. Gordon landed three heavy shots which certainly got Sierra’s attention. Sierra in turn got Gordon’s attention with his slick punching that came from every angle, to include five wrap around the back attempts which delighted the crowd.  

As the bout progressed, the only question to be answered was, ‘Could Sierra get enough power behind one of his punches to floor this extremely durable, colossus of a man.’ Gordon, or should we call him Hercules, made it crystal clear, that was not going to happen.

While Judge Tom Taylor gave every round to Sierra, 40-36, both judges Pat Russell and Tony Crebs had it 39-37 Sierra. It’s likely they had Gordon winning the final round.

(top, left) The one and only Cromwell Gordon warms up prior to the opening bell.
(bottom) The photo that got away. Here we have both boxers, Gordon (r) and Sierra (l) landing solid (last man standing) punches at the same exact time.

(bottom, left) At the conclusion of his bout with Cromwell Gordon, Ulises Sierra (l) has his arm raised by veteran referee Jose Cobian. Photos: J. Wyatt

Not that he doesn’t have a host of fans, but this one appears to be his favorite.

Has the controversial “Draw” been settled?

In the final bout of the evening, the show’s Main Event, they had a six round featherweight contest between Smokin’ Joe Perez (4-0-1, 3 KOs) from The Boxing Club in La Jolla, CA and Victor Raul “Zurdo” Capaceta (3-6-3, 2 KOs) from Tijuana, B. C. This was the promised rematch of their controversial November 21, 2013 Draw, a fight which both sides were clamoring for. 

Since their last bout, Perez had been inactive while his counterpart, Capaceta, remained busy and fought twice more, against high caliber opponents who had a combined record of 19-1-0, with 9 KOs. Even though he lost both fights, he learned a lot.

(top, left) Victor Capaceta (red trunks) and Smokin’ Joe Perez (white) face off in their second meeting at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Mission Valley.

Nearing the close of round #4 came the dreaded, one punch, flash knockdown. (bottom, right) Within seconds Perez was back on his feet. Photos: J. Wyatt

The difference in their numbers had to be razor then.

To the Victor (Capaceta) goes the spoils. (below) Capaceta is joined by his trainer (l) and good buddies from the world of music. Photos: Jim Wyatt

Friday’s round by round scoring

In Friday evening’s contest, the busier Capaceta likely took round one after finishing the round by clocking Perez with five straight unanswered blows. 10-9 Capaceta

With round two being almost too close to call, we give the edge to Perez who finished the round strong. 10-9 Perez

There is no doubt Perez landed the majority of the punches in Round #3. 10-9 Perez

Then, in the pivotal round #4, with Perez seemingly pulling away, he gets caught flush with this right cross that sends him flying backwards to have a seat on the canvas. What a turn around – that one punch turned a 10-9 round for Perez into a 10-8 round for Capaceta.

In the following rounds, Perez took round #5 (10-9 Perez) while Capaceta came on strong to take round #6. 10-9 Capaceta. 

The totals have Capaceta winning the bout 57-56. If and here’s the big if, if Perez had not been caught by that one punch which caused the flash knockdown in round #4, and we juxtapose the scoring, then we end up with Perez winning this close match 58-56. 

Now the official scoring: Judge Tony Crebs scored the bout in Perez’s favor 57-56 while judge Tom Taylor had Capaceta winning 58-55 and judge Pat Russell had Capaceta winning 57-56. 

This nail-biter couldn’t have been any closer. Will there be a trilogy?

Before leaving the Crowne Plaza Hotel in San Diego, the two combatants, Victor Capaceta (l) and Smokin’ Joe Perez meet up for one last photo.

Addendum: Who are we to believe? God forbid that anything bad would ever, really happen to Uribe’s coach but it now appears that her coach’s mild stroke excuse for bailing on the fight with Amaris Quintana, turned out to be a big joke. The Susana Uribe vs. Amaris Quintana fight was never going to happen. Not when you had “Dinamita” Uribe planning all along to fight Teresa Guadalupe Marquez on the very same night (May 30, 2014). 

As further proof, instead of weighing around 108 pounds for her fight with Quintana, the 34 year-old Uribe was tipping the scales at 114½ pounds for her fight with the winless Teresa Guadalupe Marquez (0-5) who weighed in at 113½ pounds for their fight at the Gimnasio Municipal “Jose Neri Santos,” Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. Entonces, how can we ever believe Uribe and her camp?