Carlson to make first defense of his WBC Latino Title
Back on February 28, 2014, Carlos Carlson of Tijuana, B. C., Mexico (black trunks) defeated Javier Gallo of Buena Park, CA to win the WBC Latino Championship. All photos: Carlos Baeza/Thompson Boxing Promotions
The latest “Locked n Loaded” boxing card from Thompson Boxing Promotions at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, CA features bantamweight prospect Carlos “Memin” Carlson (14-0, 10 KOs) of Tijuana, B. C., Mexico in the first defense of the WBC Latino Title which he won back on February 28, 2014 by gaining an eight round unanimous decision victory over 30 year-old 5’3″ Javier Gallo (21-8-1) of Buena Park, CA.
Now Carlson faces Jose “Relámpago” Cen-Torres (13-4, 1 KO) from Merida, Yucatan, Mexico in another 8-round championship bout. The difference this time out, Carlson will no longer enjoy a height, reach and age advantage. Cen-Torres is the same 5’7″ tall with the exact same reach and he’s 22 years of age. After winning his first 11 contests, Cen-Torres went through a rough patch and lost four in a row. He’s now won his last two bouts by unanimous decision but over less than stellar competition.
WEIGHTS
Carlos Carlson 117.5 vs. Jose Cen-Torres 117
Jonathan Garcia 144.7 vs. Michael Balasi 144.7
Cesar Villarraga 132.5 vs. Dominic Coca 133.1
Javier Lapizco 115.5 vs. Christian Lorenzo 115.7
Tavoris Teague 152 vs. Malik Bazille 154
On the undercard, they have the undefeated, 23 year-old Jonathan Garcia (14-0-0, 11 KOs) from Watsonville, CA who has what you’d call a padded record. Since turning pro in 2010, he has only faced two opponents with a winning record.
His opponent on Friday is a 33 year-old southpaw by the name of Michael Balasi (10-4-0, 7 KOs) who has lost his last three fights, although all three of those losses came against highly regarded, undefeated fighters – Dusty Hernandez Harrison, Giovani Santillan and Alex Theran, who together had a combined record of 40 wins, no losses when they faced him.
Next, they have another of Thompson Boxing’s top prospects, Cesar Villarraga of Bogota, Columbia. In his last fight, he knocked out lightweight Wilberth Lopez (3-3-0). This time around he’ll face an even easier opponent Dominic Coca (8-8-0, 2 KOs). The 34 year-old Mr. Coca of Watts, CA, has lost his last six fights albeit, all six were undefeated fighters.
Another lookalike? Since Kevin Hart is one of Malik Bazille’s favorite actor/comedians it’s going to be hard for him to pound his idol into submission.
In Bout #4, they have middleweight Malik Bazille (1-2-0) going up against super welterweight Tavorus Teague (2-0-0, 1 KO) from La Habra, CA, the 2013 California State Golden Gloves Champion at 152 lbs. The only problem here is their size. Teague, who resembles the diminutive comedian Kevin Hart (both in looks, size and attitude) could have a rough time with Bazille, who is much taller and usually fights as a middleweight. Bazille out-weighed Teague by two pounds at the weigh-in. By tomorrow night, you can bet Bazille will out weigh Teague by a whole lot more – eight to 10 pounds.
The final bout features super flyweight Javier “Javiercito” Lapizco (4-0, 1 KO) of Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico going up against bantamweight Christian Lorenzo (2-1, 1 KO) who, in his last fight on May 2, 2013, 14 months ago, lost by mixed decision to local favorite Fernando Fuentes of Hemet, CA. Lapizco should win but he’ll have problems overcoming the difference in size.
“Locked n’ Loaded” is presented by Thompson Boxing Promotions and sponsored by Lucas Oil, in association with KCAL 96.7 Rocks!, KOLA 99.9, and LATV Networks. Tickets priced at $100, $60, & $40 are on sale now and can be purchased by phone at 714-935-0900, or Friday at the Doubletree Hotel Ontario at 5:30 PM.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the first bell rings at 7:45 p.m. The Doubletree Hotel is located at 222 N. Vineyard Dr., Ontario, CA, 91764 and can be reached at (909) 937-0900.
