Boxing Show at The Arena features an abundance of memorable fights

To open the proceedings on Saturday, the following were introduced (l to r) USA Amateur Boxing’s LBC 44 President Hondo Fontane, USA Boxing Official Rick Ley, USA Boxing’s National Champion Julius Ballo, USA Boxing Official Melanie Ley plus Jack Ballo, proud parent/owner of the Bomber Squad Boxing Academy.

This was one of those Tit for Tat matches. You had Brandon Cruz (red gloves) landing a barrage of punches and then back came Jason Meza (red) aiming to exceed Cruz’s output. The difference maker? It had to be that Cruz kept better track of his punch count and knew when scoring he’d need to score in bunches.

In Bout #2, it was Lucio Hirales (blue gloves) from Romo’s Boxing out pointing Joshua Rivera (red gloves) from Tiger Smalls Boxing.

At the conclusion of Bout #2, we see a smiling Lucio Hirales (l) having his arm raised by referee Hondo Fontane after he got the best of Joshua Rivera.

It took just minutes for Brandon Ruiz (blue) to get a handle on Ernie Cuevas’ feints and trickery and from that point on, the master boxer took control.

(top photo) At the conclusion of their hard fought match, veteran referee Rick Ley raised the arm of the victorious Brandon Ruiz from Mariscal Boxing.
(bottom photo) After their very entertaining match, who better to present the winning medal but an undefeated professional boxer from Dallas, Texas like 2008 Olympian Luis Yanez (right).

(bottom) Jose Chollet from the Bomber Squad Academy has his arm raised in victory after defeating the game Alfredo Martinez from Garden Grove Boxing.

(photo left) At the conclusion of Bout #4, we were given a heads up on the reason for Jose Chollet’s slow-mo antics. His sister made the request so that her video of the fight could be clear. (photo, right) Jose Chollet is shown receiving instructions from his coach Berlin Kerney IV and fellow coach Jack Ballo.

Adan Palma, red gloves, maintained his position on the inside to make certain Darius Winfrey had little chance of establishing his jab or landing his big overhand rights.

On hand to present the winning medal to Adan Palma was Mario Heredia (right), surely one of Mexico’s top heavyweights who currently has 13 wins with 12 knockouts.

At the conclusion of their entertaining match, Adan Palma of The Arena (l) and Darius Winfrey (r) from Boxing for Christ graciously posed for one last photo.

Early on, both boxers, Aaron Soriano (red headgear) and Antonio Padilla (blue) got out their measuring tape to size up their opponent. As the bout progressed, Soriano made better use of those measurements. All photos: Jim Wyatt

(photo, top right) On hand to assist referee Dana Kaplan with the Medal presentation was San Diego Super Flyweight Jose Toribio.

At the conclusion of Bout #6, we had these future stars, Aaron Soriano (left) and Antonio Padilla (right) pose for one last photo. Photo: Jim Wyatt

After round one, Victor Tiscareno of Boxers for Christ Boxing (bottom, left) looked to be in charge and the sharper puncher. He was also using his jab well. Then, after Kevin Camacho (top, right) had a serious talk with his coach, Bobby Lopez, that all changed. Camacho went on the warpath and as a result of his hard-charging (not a punch) Camacho fell to the canvas. From that point on, the energized Camacho went full bore to gain the victory.

(bottom, right) This fully leveraged roundhouse right from Kevin Camacho landed square on Victor Tiscareno’s chin.

Knowing full well that he needed the third and final round to secure the victory, Camacho (blue gloves) kept up his pace and kept throwing the power shots.

At the conclusion of their match, referee Hondo Fontane raised the arm of the victorious Kevin “Macho” Camacho. On hand for the medal presentation was USA Amateur Boxing’s National Champion Julius Ballo (r).

“Possible Bout of the Day” The first task of the coaches was to wipe away the blood. Then, what can you say when your boxer has himself invested in an all-out war, “Keep your head moving and don’t stop throwing punches!”

After getting the worst of it in round one back came Cesar Hernandez (red) in round two to even things up. Panels two and three are showcasings his success – first the overhand right and then the powerful left hook to the midsection.

Hernandez maintained the pressure in the closing round to earn the victory. When there’s an outstanding, close match as this was, it’s not always a major concern in regards to who won or who lost. The mutual respect was earned and both boxers will always remember their struggle and the guy who brought out the best in them.

In this match, “Mad Max” (red headgear) got off to a great start and the above overhand right to Roman Lysenko’s chin in round one sort of set the table.

(top) On hand for the presentation of the winning medal was pro boxer Bryan Figueroa (left) who hails from Tijuana, currently 11-0. (bottom) We have referee Rick Ley raising the arm of the victorious Maath “Max” Mashaleh of The Arena after his defeat of Roman Lysenko from The Boxing Club, La Jolla, Calif.

Before mixing things up, Erick Hernandez (blue headgear) looks across at the more experienced opponent Aron Avila from Intensity MMA (red headgear).

If you sprinkle in several standing 8-counts for Hernandez, you get the jest of this one sided beatdown by the more polished boxer Aron Avila.

At the conclusion of Bout #10 we see veteran referee Rick Ley raising the arm of the victorious Aron Avila of Intensity MMA.

Knowing you are going up against someone as polished as Aron Avila and you’re still willing to take the fight, says a lot about the courage of Erick Hernandez.

Mansour may have had his moments early, but that soon changed after Chavez got in close and started working over not only Mansour’s midsection but Mansour chin with these solid uppercuts.

Chavez is shown having his arm raised in victory by referee Dana Kaplan.

After being checked out by the fight doctor, Jonathan Mansour (l) from the Bomber’s Squad, El Cajon, Calif. and Jorge Chavez from the National City CYAC graciously agreed to pose for one last photo.

Before long, a fierce battle erupted and someone yelled out, “Heh, can someone please tell him (Solano) to turn it down a notch?”

Throughout their contest, the combatants continued to bang away.

In the end, it was Ernesto Solano (r) having his arm raised in victory by referee Dana Kaplan.

Truth be known, no one was going to beat Mr. Kaplan with his Mom in the audience.

Michael Romero, from the Bear Knuckle Boxing Gym only knows one way of fighting and that’s full throttle.

To quote onlookers, “What a banger this guy is!”

At the conclusion of Bout #13, we see referee Hondo Fontane raising the arm of the victorious Sebastian Camberos from Intensity MMA.

(bottom photo) Just when Rashiid Johnson (r) thought he had Anthony Franco corralled, under control, bang comes this surprise package from underneath.

(photo bottom) It didn’t take long before Anthony Franco (red headgear) had a tremendous respect for Rashiid Johnson’s straight left hands.

Now we ask who is the bravest person in this photo? That would be the ref.

In the end, it was Anthony Franco having his arm raised in victory by referee Hondo Fontane. On hand to assist in the presentation of the championship medal was well respected MMA/Muaythai coach Vince Salvador (r).

The fast and furious staff of volunteers who helped set things up for the show and then tear them back down included Anthony Franco, Jason Meza, Basheer Abdullah, Juan Herrera, Joe Vargas, Ernesto El Mayimbe Solano, Michael “Loyalty” Liera, Cisco Vargas, Jose Toribio, Mario Heredia, Damian Hernandez and Louis Rodriguez.