Robles vs Spinks tomorrow night at the Sheraton

In the Main Event on Friday night’s Bobby D Presents Boxing Show at the Four Points By Sheraton Hotel is Emmanuel Robles (l) taking on the always tough Leon Spinks III.

With tomorrow night’s fight card at the Four Points By Sheraton Hotel featuring four San Diego fighters, you can imagine what it will be like for the visiting fighters as the crowd starts to turn on them, heckles a bit and then cheers wildly every time the San Diego fighter lands a punch. In boxing, it’s the same no matter where you go and it’s for sure the out-of-towners will know full well what they’re up against.

In Friday night’s main event, you have undefeated super lightweight Emmanuel “Renegade” Robles (13-0-1, 3 KOs) from San Diego. He’ll have his hands full when he goes up against the 27 year-old Leon Spinks III (11-2-1, 7 KOs) over eight rounds or perhaps less.

Like Robles, Spinks is a southpaw and he should be focused after coming off a loss against the 32 year old Rashad Ganaway (15-5-1) at The Rail Event Center, Salt Lake City, Utah. Unlike Evander Holyfield who did what he was told when facing Mitt Romney in that charity event, Spinks went down to defeat to the older Ganaway who had lost his last two fights.

San Diego boxing promoter Bobby DePhilippis stands between the combatants Emmanuel Robles (l) and Leon Spinks III who will be doing battle tomorrow night, Friday, October 23rd at the Four Points By Sheraton Hotel in San Diego.

Robles has only fought once this year beating journeyman Wilberth Lopez (5-4) with a hard earned six round decision back on April 3. Last year, Robles had a spectacular showing with three big wins including an upset of former bronze medalist Yordenis Ugas, a split decision win over Jonathan Chicas and an unanimous decision win over Carlos Valenzuela. The win over Ugas earned him the vacant WBC Latino title.

To his credit, Spinks III of Huntington Beach, Calif., by way of St. Louis, the grandson of the former heavyweight champion Leon Spinks, grand-nephew of former light heavyweight champ Michael Spinks and nephew of former undisputed super welterweight champion Cory Spinks, has been more active than Robles. In 2015, he’s fought three times and has two wins and one loss.

It’s called motivation. Like clockwork, before each fight, one of Emmanuel Robles’ four children will come to him and stipulate or implore, “You better win Daddy!”

The night will also feature the return of a local favorite 25 year-old Adrian Vargas (12-0-1, 7 KOs) who lives in National City but works out at The Arena Gym in Point Loma with his older brother Joe. Vargas will be stepping up to his first six rounder against 29 year-old Jorge Marquez (4-2, 2 KOs) of Phoenix, AZ.

Vargas has not seen action since December of last year when he beat Mario “Popeye” Hermosillo and suffered a hand fracture. Even though Marquez has faced the tougher opposition in Stan Martyniouk and Mike Reed, you got to wonder about all of his time away from the sport – inactive in 2008, one bout in 2009, not one fight in 2010 or 2011, just one fight in 2012, not one fight in 2013 and then just one fight in 2014, a TKO loss to Mike “Yes Indeed” Reed who is now 16-0 with 9 KOs. 

(bottom) Jorge Marquez (l) and Adrian Vargas (r) face off after their weigh-in. Photos: Jim Wyatt

There was a very serious look on both of their faces as Jorge Marquez (l) and Adrian Vargas (r) stood there face to face after their weigh-in.

Also on the card you have heavyweights 6’4” Matt “El Matador” McKinney (1-0-1) of Escondido, Calif. going up against first timer, 25 year-old, 6’3” Keishan Hill of San Diego, another fearless boxer out of The Arena who has also fought in the MMA cage. McKinney, who has some USA Amateur Boxing experience and fought two really tough hombres out of the box, has had his troubles lining up fights. With only one fight in 2013, one in 2014 and now this one being his only fight in 2015, he’s not as active as he would like. It’s not his fault. Even when hired to be someone’s sparring partner, a gig in Panama was cancelled and then another camp in Vancouver was cancelled.

(bottom, left) heavyweight boxer Matt McKinney. (right) heavyweight boxer Keishan Hill at Thursday’s weigh-ins at the Four Point By Sheraton Hotel in Kearny Mesa.

You should have seen the look on Matt McKinney’s face after Keishan Hill (l) began to grin from ear to ear. The look said it all, “Listen fool, there’s one thing you don’t want to do and that’s get me angry.”

Finally, we have 25 year-old Adrian Morilla making his pro debut against the more experienced Misael “Chico” Chacon (1-11) of Glendale, Arizona. Since Morilla has been a lethal Muay Thai fighter over the past seven years and has a Muay Thai record of 15-6-1, Mr. Chacon might be surprised big-time when he sees Morilla coming at him.

On Thursday evening, Adrian Morilla, the true professional had no problem making the agreed upon weight. Photos: Jim Wyatt

As you can see, Misael “Chico” Chacon (c) had some trouble making the agreed upon weight limit. Photos: Jim Wyatt

(bottom) Adrian Morilla (r) and Misael “Chico” Chacon (l) face off after their weigh-in on Thursday evening for their bout on Friday evening October 23 at the Four Points By Sheraton Hotel in the Kearny Mesa neighborhood of San Diego.

All three members of Adrian Morilla’s support group showed up at Thursday’s weigh-in. (l to r) Cutman/coach Manny Lerma, trainer Chris Lerma and coach Kris Mindiola.

The Four Points Sheraton Hotel is located at 8110 Aero Drive in the Kearny Mesa neighborhood of San Diego. Tickets are still available at SanDiegoFights.com or by calling (619) 420-8866. Food and drinks will be served and free parking is available. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the first fight starting at 7:30 p.m.