Another of the most anticipated match-ups, Parison vs. Gonzalez

Two of the best middleweights on the planet set to showcase their talents at the Del Mar Fairgrounds on march 9, 2012.

Bobby DePhilippis, San Diego’s premier boxing promoter, through his promotional company Bobby D Presents along with Jorge Marron Productions in association with the Del Mar Fairgrounds and Gonzalez Sports Academy is presenting “Champions of Tomorrow” at the Wyland Center inside The Del Mar Fairgrounds on Friday, March 9th at 8 p.m.

The Wyland Center facility on the Fair Grounds in Del Mar, CA was completed in June of 2006. It measures 200' x 154' and is located east of the Grandstand, next to the race track.

The night will mark the return of professional boxing to the Del Mar Fairgrounds after a four year absence and the first time a boxing event will be held in the Wyland Center. To celebrate its return, boxing fans will receive one FREE 2012 San Diego County Fair Admission Pass with each boxing show ticket purchased. This event will also benefit the Athletes of the Future Foundation (AFF), an organization dedicated to helping youth through sports.

Not a bad seat in the house

“We are very excited to once again be promoting boxing at the Del Mar Fairgrounds,” stated DePhilippis.  “The intimate stadium style seating we have designed will provide the feel of ringside seats so that every fan can enjoy the exciting evenly matched bouts we are known for. In addition, our partnership with the fairgrounds will also offer fans more bang for their buck by receiving a free admission pass to the fair for each boxing ticket they purchase regardless of the price. Buy a $20 boxing ticket get a free fair pass valued at $13 that’s like getting the boxing ticket for $7. Great value, great venue and great fights, you can’t beat it.”

In his last bout locally, at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in San Diego, James Parison (second from the left) won an unanimous decision victory over the game Eddie Hunter (R) of Kent, Washington.

Attending a recent boxing show at the Pechanga Resort & Casino, Lester Gonzalez (L) is accompanied by (l to r) his co-managers, Lou Messina and Gino Mazzanti. Photo: Jim Wyatt

The eight round middleweight main event is a cross town rivalry between James “El Chocolate” Parison (15-1, 6 KOs) of south San Diego and Lester “El Cubanito” Gonzalez (13-4-3, 6 KOs) of Clairemont Mesa by way of Havana, Cuba.

Prior to turning pro, Gonzalez was a rising star as a product of the world renowned Cuban amateur program while amassing over 120 fights before defecting to Mexico. This crafty south paw features great boxing skills and power in both hands to go along with his granite chin.

Over the past two years, he has fought such notables as Charles Hatley, Omar Henry, David Tabatadze, Matt Korobov, Bastie Samir, Eromosele Albert, Brandon Gonzales and Chris Chatman. The eight major league boxers have a combined record of 113 wins, just 9 losses with 5 draws. In a pro-career that spans almost seven years, Gonzalez has been stopped only once.

If we compare Parison’s activity level with that of Gonzalez, we discover he’s not been as active and the one noteworthy opponent over the past three years is Craig McEwan (19-2). The two fought in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada back on November 28, 2009.

So, while Gonzalez has kept himself busy over the past two years and took on the cream of the crop, Parison has fought just three times. The combined record of the three opponents: Paul Mendez (6-2), Eddie Hunter (4-8-2) and Loren Myers is (8-14-1).

Even though Parison is four years younger and has much quicker hands, Gonzalez has the combat experience. As anyone will tell you, you don’t get any better unless you keep active and keep working hard on your specialty.

One thing you can always be sure of, the tenacious Amaris "Diamond Girl" Quintana is always going to give you a 110%. Photo: Jim Wyatt

The six round co-main event features the always exciting Amaris “Diamond Girl” Quintana (5-0-2, 1 KO) of La Mesa who is looking to remain undefeated after going up against the more experienced Elizabeth “Dinamita” Cervantes (3-6, 1 KO) of Palmdale, CA in a flyweight affair.  Quintana, a fan favorite with her all out brawling style, is eyeing a possible title shot if she can get past Cervantes, who is considered one of the gate keepers in this division.

Cervantes’ last outing took place at the Pechanga Casino & Resort Resort on January 13, 2012. She won a split decision victory over Susanna Mellone of Los Angeles by way of New York, N. Y. Over her 10 year boxing career, Cervantes has fought mostly in the Bantamweight and Super Bantamweight Division while taking on top people like Melinda “La Maravilla” Cooper and the highly touted Kaliesha West twice. Only twice has Cervantes fought a boxer with a losing record.

In comparison, Quintana has only fought one fighter with a winning record and both of those matches, against Melissa Mc Morrow, ended in a draw. Even though Cervantes’s skills have been brought into question, she will be the taller of the two and most likely come into the fight with a eight pound weight advantage. Over the course of her career, she has weighed in between 114 and 124 pounds for a fight. With the weight advantage, she’ll spend the majority of the bout leaning on and clinching with her smaller opponent in an attempt to tire her out and then land that one big punch.

Quintana, the better boxer, is a natural flyweight who weighs in the vicinity of 110 pounds. Despite her smaller size, she’ll be in Cervantes’ grill from the outset. Since she has the quicker hands and more polished fighting style, she should come away with the victory. Her problem lies in her defense and not being more elusive or better at slipping punches. On offense she does just fine, as she knows how to work the different angles.

Jonathan Quiroz of Rhino’s Boxing in Vista, CA is making his much anticipated professional debut against Anthony Briones of Riverside. These two were set to face each other last month but a training injury to Briones delayed the bout. Quiroz has made good use of the extra time to prepare while Briones has vowed to spoil Quiroz’s intro into the punch-for-pay business.

Always there to lend a hand, Christian Bojorquez's dad, Emilio Bojorquez Sr. poses for this photo with his son at a recent match in Tijuana, Mexico. Photo: Jim Wyatt

Also on the card is a trio of four-round bouts, one has super bantamweight Christian “Huevo” Bojorquez (5-0, 2 KOs) of Tijuana taking on Pablo Cupul (6-3, 1 KO) of Merida, Yucatan, Mexico.

Pablo Cupul (R) had a most difficult time landing a punch on the elusive Raymond "Bad Boy" Chacon (L). Photo: Jim Wyatt

In Cupul’s last outing on January 27, 2012, he was dominated by Raymond “Bad Boy” Chacon at the Gonzalez Sports Academy in the neighborhood of Eastlake, Chula Vista, CA. Chacon won every round. Cupul, who won his first six bouts, is now on a three fight losing streak.

Bojorquez, a Mexican Amateur Champion, has had the benefit of sparring almost daily with his older brother Emilio “El Musico” Bojorquez, (19-1-0) and Adrian Vargas (5-0-1). Needless to say, Borjorquez, who is much taller and the more accurate of the two, will be ready for this match-up.

Pablo Armenta (R) has his arm raised in victory by Hall of Fame referee, Pat Russell (L) at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in San Diego, CA, the site of six of his seven victories. Photo: J. Wyatt

Also on the Undercard is the all action, crowd pleasing, Pablo “Bronco” Armenta (7-1-1, 3 KOs) of south San Diego versus an opponent to be determined. The final match on this exciting boxing card is still in negotiations

The Wyland Center is located inside the Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar.  The five bout “Champions of Tomorrow” event is sponsored by Filippi’s Pizza Grotto; 2012 San Diego County Fair; Balboa Thrift and Loan; El Latino Newspaper; Telemundo Canal 33; XX1090 and The Gonzalez Sports Academy. Doors to this all ages event open at 6:30 p.m. with the first punch thrown at 8 p.m.

Tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster. Prices start at just $20 for general admission, $30 for reserved and $55 for ringside. Tickets will also be available at the door on the night of the event. For more information or to purchase tickets over the phone call (619) 420-8866 or (619) 743-0698 or you can visit www.SanDiegoFights.com.