Undisputed’s USA Amateur Boxing Show results of August 6th
Three members of the host gym, Undisputed Downtown, include (from L to R) pro-boxers Emilio Bojorguez, his brother Christian and Adrian Vargas shown here clowning around between bouts. Photo: Jim Wyatt
On another gorgeous day in downtown San Diego, it was the Undisputed Fitness and Training Center’s turn to host the latest in a series of USA Amateur Boxing Shows. And not to get all warm and fuzzy on you, but as my friend Fritz Werner says, “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” Thanks to the host gym, the cordial patrons and the competitors, Saturday turned out to be a wonderful experience. These USA Amateur Boxing Shows are starting to bear a resemblance to family reunions where you have most everyone standing around reminiscing about the good old days.
Bout #1 winner, Oscar Hernandez (R) has his arm raised in victory after defeating Corey Snyder (L). Photo: Jim Wyatt
Bout #1 featured 13 year-olds, Corey Snyder of City Boxing on 14th Street going up against Oscar Hernandez of Rhino’s Boxing in Vista. Early on, this one had a lot of give and take until Hernandez became in tune with Snyder’s style. Hernandez soon became bolder and took more chances. He used his leverage to land the harder shots and had Synder backing up. Before the bell sounded to end round one, the referee stepped in to issue Snyder an eight count.
The second and third rounds began like the first with Snyder showing signs of coming on only to give way to the brawling tactics of Hernandez who continued his strategy of having Snyder box while backing up. In the end, the verdict was clear, the brawler from Vista prevailed
Bout #2 winner, Christopher Bautista (R) celebrates after learning he has defeated Jesus Reyes (L). Photo: Jim Wyatt
Bout #2 featured 13-year-old Christopher Bautista of Rhino Boxing facing 12 year-old Jesus Reyes of the host gym Undisputed Downtown. On paper this one looked like a mismatch as Bautista was a year older, much taller, had more experience and the four pound weight advantage. But hold on. As Mark Twain once said, “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.”
Reyes clearly took round one by utilizing this darting in and out pro-style offense. He’d land a quick burst of a two or maybe three punch combination, then he’d pull back out of range. Every time Bautista landed a punch, Reyes made certain his opponent received immediate payback.
Unrelenting, Reyes continued his strategy of boring in on the taller Bautista then he’d slip the follow-up punches or have them hit his gloves. All told, Reyes got hit solid about five times, but those solid overhand rights could not match the consistency of the combinations Reyes was landing. After all the praise for Reyes’ strategy, in the end the judges gave Bautista the nod.
Eduardo Mendivil (L) has his arm raised in victory by referee Rick Ley after defeating Miguel Sanchez (R). Photo: Jim Wyatt
Bout #3 featured 19 year-olds Miguel Sanchez of Oceans Boxing of Chula Vista, CA facing Eduardo Mendivil of the Real Deal Boxing Team in Hemet, CA. This was a matchup of a good orthodox boxer going up against the troublesome southpaw. In this one the boxers’ stance and footwork became oh so important.
Despite the great two way action, you’d have to say Mendivil, the righty, was the busier of the two and landed more of the cleaner shots; shots that would normally knock anyone down. After Mendivil landed a big straight right, back came Sanchez with his left and right crosses. This classic battle had everyone excited and up on their feet.
Jose Hernandez (L) has his arm raised in victory by referee Rick Ley after defeating Jorge Escalante (R). Photo: Jim Wyatt
Bout #4 featured cruiserweights, 26 year-old Jorge Escalante of Gladiator’s School of Boxing facing 32 year-old Jose Hernandez of Chula Vista Boxing. Before Saturday, Escalante had 14 amateur bouts to his credit while Hernandez had just six. The less experienced Hernandez mentioned he was using this last bout as a warm-up before turning pro.
Whereas the majority of amateur bouts involve strategy and almost always go the distance, this one seemed as if it would be over in a hurry. The heavy punchers began posthaste to land their cannon shots and neither utilized the jab to set up any sort of combination.
Despite the disparity in ring appearances, it was obvious Hernandez had more ring savvy. He got more power out of each punch by turning his body at the waist and when he had Escalante in the clinches, he knew how to hold and hit. Before long, the combinations by Hernandez took their toll and the referee had to issue the game Escalante a standing eight count. From start to finish this was Hernandez’s bout.
Is Hernandez ready for the big show? I’d have to say, no. He still needs time in the gym to work on some of the fundamentals.
Awaiting the decision of the judges are boxers Xavlon Douglas (R) and Jonathan Rodriguez (L). Photo: Jim Wyatt
After Bout #5 between middleweights 26 year-old Guillermo Castillo of Undisputed and 28 year-old Terrence Edwards of Old School was cancelled, 8 year-old Xavlon Douglas (57 lbs.) of Rhino’s Boxing and 9 year-old Jonathan Rodriquez (56 pounds) of Oceans Boxing Team moved up a slot. The winless Mr. Douglas has been a fan favorite since his debut.
In Round #1, Douglas did his best impression of Muhammad Ali as he bobbed and weaved. As a result, Rodriguez’s punches were hitting nothing but air. Then before the round ended, Douglas, or should we call him, “Shake and Bake” got caught with a solid left hook.
In Round #2, after Douglas decided to hold his ground, Rodriguez came on with a steady stream of punches. Before long the ref had to issue Douglas a standing eight count. A second eight count followed in round three and soon after the referee called for an early stoppage.
Ryan Soliven (R) takes a swing at Genero Gamez in Bout #6. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Bout #6 between 14 year-old Ryan Soliven of Undisputed Downtown and 16 year-old Genero Gamez of Oceans Boxing Chula Vista was set up to be the main event on the program. Both Soliven and Gamez are what you’d called accomplished boxers in the mold of a Sugar Ray Robinson, not your one punch knockout or swing for the fence brawlers as earlier seen.
Genero Gamez (R) poses for a photo with his coaches after defeating Ryan Soliven. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Gamez took Round #1 by being the craftier of the two. He slipped the majority of the punches and gave Soliven less of a target to hit. Then through rounds two and three we saw a lot of good back and forth action with Gamez landing the harder shots and at times being the busier of the two. In the end the decision went to Gamez, an unanimous decision.
At the close of Bout #6, Ryan Soliven poses for a photo with referee Rick Ley. Photo: Jim Wyatt
The next USA Amateur Boxing Show, the Victory Boxing Academy’s second annual “Road to Victory” Boxing Show is scheduled for Saturday, August 20, at the Victory Outreach Church of San Diego with Championship Belts to be awarded to the winners. All boxers need to call in advance to be pre-matched, email: junebugsly123@att.net or call Arnulfo Mendivil at (619) 420 0737 or (619) 288-3872, tickets cost just $10.00 in advance or $12.00 at the door.
