2012 Boxers for Christ National Tournament day one coverage
In the opening bout of the 2012 Boxers for Christ National Tournament which began Friday December 14 and ends Sunday, December 16 at the San Diego Combat Academy in San Diego, it was Stephanie Valdez (R) of the Duarte Boxing Club pulling out the victory after staging a late rally to edge Jessica Juarez of the USIAA Boxing team of San Diego.
On Friday evening, the 2012 USA Amateur Boxers for Christ Tournament kicked off with a bout featuring the young ladies, Stephanie Valdez of the Duarte Boxing Club going up against local favorite, southpaw Jessica Juarez of the USIAA, United States Institute of Amateur Athletes.
In both Rounds #1 and #2, it was clear Juarez was getting the best of the exchanges. Valdez was having problems each time Juarez, the much shorter of the two, worked herself in close to land not only the straight left but nice two and three punch combinations.
Entering the final round, it was as if Valdez had been fighting lefties all her life. She started slipping punches, kept Juarez at a safe distance and then began landing the big shots to her opponent’s head. With the punches coming in bunches, the three judges eventually ruled that Valdez had surpassed Juarez’s punch count and awarded her the decision.
Excited after hearing the judges’ scores, Stephanie Valdez jumps for joy. After rounds one and two it appeared Jessica Juarez (R), a southpaw, was well on her way to defeating Valdez in the first of 25 bouts at the Boxers for Christ National Tournament held Friday evening, December 14, 2012, at the San Diego Combat Academy on Convoy Street in San Diego.
Hector Alatorre (L) of the Vaya Con Dios Boxing Gym in Tulare, CA gets the win over Adrian Hernandez of the United Boxing Club, Chula Vista, CA in Bout #2. All photos: Jim Wyatt
At the conclusion of Bout #2, Hector Alatorre (R) and Adrian Hernandez (L) pose for a photo.
In Bout #3 it was Xavion Douglas (R) of Rhino’s Boxing, Vista, CA getting his second USA Amateur victory and progressing on in the Boxers for Christ tournament with an unanimous decision victory over Dezi Johnson of Kings Boxing, Avenal, CA.
Bout #4 featured Julius Ballo (L) of Undisputed Fitness, El Cajon, and Danny Cuin of Temecula Boxing. In this one, Ballo got inside to dominate with rapid fire combinations.
In Bout #5 it was Dominic Vega (R) of Coachella Boxing gaining the semi-final victory over Antonio Zavala of Duarte Boxing. Photo: Jim Wyatt
- At the conclusion of Bout #6, referee Hondo Fontan raised the arms of both Jesus Flores (R) of Selma, CA, the eventual winner, who trains at Parlier Boxing, and Ernesto Mercado (L) from Ultimate Warrior, Ontario, CA after the youngsters gave an outstanding performance.
In Bout 7, it was Alan Ramirez (R) of Penacho Boxing getting the win over Carlos Sanchez of the Alliance Training Center of Chula Vista, CA.
Alan Ramirez of Penacho Boxing, San Jacinto, CA outpointed his rival Carlos Sanchez of the Alliance Training Center in Chula Vista, CA in Bout #7.
In Bout #8, it was Felix Soria (R) of the Sons of God Boxing Club gaining the victory over Daniel Martinez (R) of Grace Boxing in Palmdale, CA.
In Bout #9, it was Luis Monarrez (R) of the Victory Boxing Club, Omaha, Nebraska, getting the win over Alex Celaya (L) of the USIAA, San Diego, CA.
In Bout #10, it was Jovany Contreras (L) of Barrio Station coming away with the victory over fellow slugger Daniel Andujo (Unattached).
Bout #11 It was Ramon Gonzales (L), unattached, getting the victory over Nelson Salazar of the Sons of God Boxing Club in the finals of the 13/14 106 lbs. group. Photo: Jim Wyatt
In Bout #12, it was Brandon Lopez (L) of the Victory Boxing Club, Omaha, Nebraska, getting the win over Eduardo Mendoza of the Sons of God Boxing Club.
In Bout #13 it was Dominic Serna (R) of Indio Boxing getting the victory over Roberto Ocampo of the ABC Mongoose Gym in San Diego.
In Bout #14, it was Steven Mendoza (R) of the Sons of God Boxing Gym getting the victory over Anthony Munoz of Undisputed Fitness El Cajon in the 15 and 16 year-old Novice group.
After Bout #15 was cancelled, Wilson Guzman (R) of the Grace Boxing Club, Palmdale, CA got the win over Elijah Dasher of Cital Boxing & Nutrition, San Diego in Bout #16.
In Bout 17, it was David Vasconcellos (L) of South Coast Boxing getting the victory over Francisco Valdovinos who was unattached. All photos: Jim Wyatt
After Bout #18 was cancelled, it was Scott Torres (R) of Temecula getting the best of Raul Meza of the Alliance Training Center, Chula Vista, CA in Bout #19.
In Bout #20, it was Nicolas Carrico (R) of Old School Boxing, San Diego getting the victory over Darren Williams of LA Sands, Los Angeles.
After Bout #21 was cancelled, Berlin Kerney (L) of Undisputed El Cajon got the RSC (Referee stops Contest) victory over Gilbert Ledezma, Ocean’s Boxing, San Diego in Bout #22.
In Bout #23, it was Christian Olivas (R) of Ocean’s Boxing being awarded the close decision over Gabriel Hernandez of the El Cajon Undisputed Gym.
In Bout #24, it was Genaro Gamez (R) of United Boxing & Fitness, Chula Vista, CA getting the win over Manny Flores of the Santa Maria Boxing Gym in Santa Monica, CA.
You talk about a support group, nobody has a bigger support group than Genaro Gamez.
At the conclusion of Bout #24, Genaro Gamez (R) of United Boxing & Fitness was congratulated by one of his mentors, pro boxer Pablo Armenta. Photo: Jim Wyatt
At the conclusion of Bout #25, referee Hondo Fontan holds up the arms of both Israel Mercado (L) of Ultimate Warriors, Ontario, CA, the eventual winner, and Johnny Rivera (R) of San Diego Combat Academy to salute their efforts. This was the final bout in day one of the Boxers for Christ National Tournament. Twenty-eight additional bouts were to follow.
