Perseverance prevails at latest Bound Boxing Academy show

All the way from Hollywood! Talk about pressure to get a win. On hand to see Alejandro Ulloa get his second USA Amateur victory was his Mom, brother, coach, Clemente Casillas, the Director of the National City CYAC plus Chris Pharo, a gent who no doubt resembles actor Woody Harrelson.

On Friday evening, October 21, 2016, USA Amateur Boxing was back at the Bound Boxing Academy in Chula Vista for another installment of their “Friday Night Fights.” As is the case with most athletic events, the organizer faced several, last minute calamities. First up, three of the scheduled boxers were having trouble making it to the weigh-ins because of a wildfire in Temecula. Their appearance would have to be canceled. A fourth bout was canceled after it was discovered a boxer weighed 10 pounds over the agreed upon catchweight. So, getting closer and closer to show time, the matchmaker had suddenly gone from 11 solid matches to just seven. As luck would have it, those 14 boxers performed admirably.

In Bout #1, it was Mario Salas (14-years-old, 121 lbs.) from The Arena, Point Loma, Calif. going up against Alejandro Mendoza (1-2, 14-years-old, 122 lbs.) from the House of Boxing, Paradise Hills, San Diego, Calif. Round one was a bit of a free-for-all with both boxers taking turns pummeling each other. In round two, Salas landed more of the cleaner shots, especially with his solid left hooks to the side of Mendoza’s head. In the final round, Salas’ victory became more apparent after Mendoza had been issued a standing 8-count.

In Bout #1, it was a matter of quickness. In this photo we see Mario Salas’ left hook (l) getting to its target before Alejandro Mendoza’ left hook.

At the conclusion of Bout #1, we see veteran referee Will White raising the arm of the victorious Mario Salas (r) after he earned a unanimous decision victory over Alejandro Mendoza (l). All photos: Jim Wyatt

Bout #2 was filled with even more momentum swings. Alejandro Bastidas (11-years-old, 83 lbs.) from the Bound Boxing Academy, Chula Vista, Calif. started quickly and had Alejandro Ulloa (1-0, 12-years-old, 85 lbs.) from the National City CYAC backing up. Bastidas was slightly busier and his solid punches had Ulloa backing up. Just when you thought Bastidas was in charge, that’s when Ulloa came right back and had Bastidas backpedaling. The last round was a free for all as both boxers went nonstop right up until the final bell. In the end, it was Alejandro Ulloa (2-0) earning his second straight victory.

By round #2, it was Alejandro Ulloa (l) getting off first as shown in this photo of the straight right landing on Alejandro Bastidas’ chin.

At the conclusion of Bout #2, we see referee Andrew Moreno raising the arm of the victorious Alejandro Ulloa (l) after he managed to defeat Alejandro Bastidas (r) in one of the most hotly contested matches of the evening.

Another of the boxing fans present at Friday evening’s show included young Maddox and his father Efren Gutierrez.

Bout #3 featured two brawlers, a righty by the name of Sam Felter (0-1, 23-years-old, 173 lbs.) from the Undisputed Downtown Gym, San Diego, Calif. going up against a 19-year-old southpaw Marcos De La Torre (170 lbs.) from the San Diego Fight Club, El Cajon, Calif. To the amazement of the crowd, these light heavyweights went nonstop unloading their lethal punches. Right up until the final bell, both boxers were teeing off on each other. It appeared De La Torre was ahead in round one until Felter got accustomed to his opponent’s left hand. By round two, Felter had settled in and was landing his straight rights, one of which had De La Torre’s nose bleeding. In that second round, De La Torre was issued not one, but two standing 8-counts and the fight doctor had been summoned. After a third 8-count in the final round, it was clear Felter was ahead and getting the best of his opponent.

Back and forth they went, Sam Felter (red gloves) and Marcos De La Torre (blue). Bout #3 was a full throttle, light heavyweight slugfest.

Early in round one, after getting throttled by a Marcos De La Torre punch, we see referee Hondo Fontane issuing Sam Felter a standing 8-count.

Now it’s your turn. Here we see the same ref issuing Marcos De La Torre a standing 8-count.

After a while, it appeared it was Marcos De La Torre that was tiring.

Coach/pro-boxer Ernesto Martinez adds words of encouragement, “You’ve got him tiring. Whatever you do, don’t let up. Keep the pressure on him!”

Sam Felter did just that and soon the referee was calling for a stoppage to have the fight doctor, Dr. Quetzalsol Chacon-Lopez have a look at De La Torre nose. At that point, De La Torre’s punches were no more than arm punches.

At the conclusion of their hard-fought battle, it was Sam Felter (r) of the Undisputed Downtown gym in San Diego getting the decision victory.

In Bout #4, they had 21-year-old Josh Rivera (157 pounds) of the Tiger Smalls Boxing Gym, Mission Valley going up against 19-year-old Luis Tapia (2-11, 152 pounds) from Mariscal Boxing, Tijuana. Tapia’s losing record might discourage a great many, but not Luis Tapia. Tapia is one of those up and coming boxers who has never shied away from fighting the best available opponent even if that opponent was older or had a ton of experience. Tapia believes he’s getting better and better by battling the best. On Friday night, local boxing fans caught a glympse of the benefits of having such a strategy. All of his hard work in the gym and in competition is finally paying dividends. On Friday night, he simply outworked Josh Rivera. When the two young men were face to face, toe to toe, in the center of the ring, Rivera was the first to slow down and start grabbing Tapia to tie him up. He held so much, that the referee finally decided to penalize him a point.

At times the Josh Rivera (red gloves) versus Luis Tapia (blue gloves) bout resembled a wrestling match. The in-fighting seemed to be continual. (photo, top right) shows Josh Rivera being issued a standing 8-count.

At one point, the referee stopped the bout and had the fight doctor, Dr. Chacon take a look at the battered Josh Rivera.

With the point deduction for holding issued to Josh Rivera, the unanimous decision was never in doubt.

At the conclusion of the Tapia versus Rivera bout, the two boxers posed for a photo with pro boxer Prince Tiger Smalls who at 21 years of age recently secured his twelfth victory without a defeat.

After his resounding victory over Josh Rivera, Luis Tapia’s stablemates plus his coach, Jorge Mariscal (l), gather around for a memorable photo.

Ulises Sierra’s fiance was at Friday’s show with her dad who came all the way from Germany. This reporter failed to explain that behind him on the wall were several fight posters that included a photo of his future son-in-law.

Bout #5 featured 17-year-old Christian Martinez (0-1, 136 lbs.) from the Pacific Training Center, La Jolla, Calif. taking on 16-year-old Santiago Galvez (142 lbs.) from the San Diego Fight Club, El Cajon, Calif. In round one, with his height and reach advantage, Galvez maintained the proper distance, scored well and looked impressive. Then, in rounds two and three, Martinez was able to eliminate that reach advantage and took control inside. No longer did he hang on the outside to become an easy target.

Staying in close to battle the taller Santiago Galvez was the key to victory.

In this photo we see referee Will White issuing Santiago Galvez a standing 8-count.

At the conclusion of Bout #5, referee Will White raises the arm of the victorious Christian Martinez, who like Luis Tapia, is becoming better and better by listening to his coach and doing the hard work in the gym.

At the conclusion of Bout #5, Christian Martinez (l) is joined by his coach Eddie Roa of the Pacific Training Center plus stablemate Chris Pharo.

In Bout #6, it was 24-year-old Ali Ahmed of One Training Center, Spring Valley (red gloves, 165 lbs.) going up against 18-year-old Joshua Harris from the Arena, Point Loma (blue gloves, 167 lbs.). What can we say about Ahmed’s unorthodox style? Aside from saying it is unique, he certainly uses up a ton of energy. His constant movement reminds you of the energy exerted by a hummingbird. Unlike the hummingbird, Ahmed eventually runs out of gas as he did approaching the third round. His excitable approach and super strength had him winning rounds one and two, but it was that third round that made him look vulnerable. His opponent on Friday night, Joshua Harris, could not break the code.

At the conclusion of Bout #6, we see referee Hondo Fontane raising the arm of the victorious Ali Ahmed of One Training Center, Spring Valley after his defeat of Joshua Harris of The Arena. All photos: Jim Wyatt

Bout #7 featured 22-year-old Jesus Corral-Zamorano from Victory MMA & Fitness, Point Loma going up against 28-year-old Matthew Knight from the host gym, the Bound Boxing Academy. In this one, Corral gave an exciting performance and went nonstop with the more experienced, more accurate Knight who proved to be the winner. Knight excelled in defense where he exhibited excellent head movement.

Under the category: whatever works. At the beginning of round one, this tactic by Matthew Knight (red trunks) had most observers scratching their head. Below, at the conclusion of bout #7, referee Will White raises the arms of both boxers Matthew Knight (r) and Jesus Corral-Zamorano (l). The presenter of the winner’s plaque, Jessica Juarez (right) and the rest of Bi-National champions who recently competed in Mexico were called on to present the winning medals and belts.

Matthew Knight has his arm raised in victory by referee Will White.

The next USA Amateur Boxing Show will be on November 5, 2016, at the House of Boxing on Reo Drive in the Paradise Hills neighborhood of San Diego. To begin their show, they’re planning to stage several of the elimination bouts for this year’s LBC 44 Silver Gloves District Competition.