Bobby D Presents Boxing Show more of a Celebration of Life, than a Clash of Contenders
The boxing show at the Sheraton was more like a night of remembrance, not only for the individuals inducted into the CA Boxing Hall of Fame, but for the many mourning the loss of Tony “Bazooka” De Luca. (L to R) ring announcer Benny Ricardo, matchmaker Jorge Marron, Teresa De Luca, Tony’s widow, promoter Bobby DePhilippis, ex-champion James “The Heat” Kinchen, Tony’s former trainer Juan Bustamante and promoter Andy Perez.
California Hall of Fame promoter Bobby De Philippis along with promoter/manager Andy Perez of the A&T Gym and Boxing Club plus Jorge Marron Productions hosted their latest boxing show, Clash of the Contenders at the Four Points By Sheraton Hotel on Aero Drive in San Diego, Friday evening, November 2, 2012.
Tony DeLuca (L), seen here with Paul Banke at the Calif. Boxing Hall of Fame induction ceremonies of 2010, was a huge boxing fan. Having this photo taken with the legendary Super Bantamweight Champ involved in that amazing 3 fight trilogy with Daniel Zaragoza in the late ’80s, early ’90s, was very important to him and as you might expect, to Mr. Banke as well.
With Tony DeLuca’s recent passing, the organizers invited Teresa De Luca, his widow, plus Tony’s former trainer, 91 year-old Juan Bustamante, to help his friends in the Boxing Community honor this wonderful man. Tony was a special champion, an entertainer to the max and bosom buddy to so many.
Also on the program was a salute to the latest inductees into the California Boxing Hall of Fame which included: one of the sport’s top boxing promoters, financier Bobby De Philippis, Super Middleweight Champion, now pastor James “The Heat” Kinchen, California Bantamweight Champion, now trainer Norman “Bumpy” Parra, sportscaster Jim Lampley and ex/Marine Corps Lt. Colonel and prominent boxing judge Fritz Werner.
After Benny Ricardo, the show’s emcee and ring announcer, read off the judges’ scores, Emmanuel Robles (C) had his arm raised by referee Pat Russell. Photo: J. Wyatt
In the six round main event, local favorite, light welterweight Emmanuel “The Renegade” Robles (6-0-1, 2 KOs) of Imperial Beach, CA, had no problem defeating Jose “Polvora” Mendoza (7-9, 3 KOs) of Jamay, Jalisco, Mexico. It was almost as if Robles went untouched throughout. The win wasn’t much of a surprise, after all it was Mendoza’s ninth straight loss. The surprise was the fact Mendoza lasted six rounds. He had already been ko’d in half of his contests.
Emmanuel Robles kept Jose Mendoza at bay with his strong jab.
In the Co-main event, Basilio “Chocolate” Nieves (15-1, 3 KOs) a flyweight from the Dominican Republic looked sharp in his first bout in the U. S. and earned a six round unanimous decision over Alejandro Solorio (4-6, 3 KOs) with scores of 60-54, 59-55 and 58-56.
Basilio Nieves drops to his knees after learning he has won his first bout in the U. S., a six round unanimous decision over Alejandro Solorio. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Flyweight contender Jolene Blackshear, just off a recent KO victory at Las Pulgas in Tijuana, poses for a photo with her coach Jose Cital (L) and Alejandro Solorio (R) after he lost the decision to Basilio Nieves. Photo: Jim Wyatt
After being a prizefighter for 16 years with 51 pro fights to his credit, the 34 year old Juan Jose Beltran (L) needs to think about hanging them up. His younger opponent, lightweight Eduardo “Lobito” Rivera went through him like a knife through butter.
Eduardo Rivera has his arm raised by referee Jose Cobian after defeating the veteran Juan Jose Beltran by an unanimous decision.
The life of a journeyman can be mind-numbing. At one time, Juan Jose Beltran had one heck of a career. At this stage, he’s no longer in the hunt for a championship belt. It’s time for the boxer to become a teacher.
In the third six rounder, lightweight Eduardo “Lobito” Rivera (9-0-1, 3 KOs) of Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico won an unanimous decision from the veteran Juan Jose Beltran (27-21-3, 18 KOs) of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico. Just as in the Robles versus Mendoza affair, there was never any doubt who would win this match and the three identical scores of 60-54 for Rivera proves that. Unlike the earlier two bouts, this one resembled a sparring session. It appears Beltran has little left in the tank and lost his third straight, 16th loss in his last 26.
The above sequence didn’t take long. Brandon Adams (top right) moved in quickly and at first worked over Yair Aguiar’s midsection. At 2:52 of the second round, the ref, Pat Russell called a halt to the match while the kneeling Aguiar sat pondering his fate. It was the second of two knockdowns in the match.
After their abbreviated bout, Brandon Adams (top left) and Yair “Pulpo” Aguiar (R) pose for photos with their coaches, the show hostesses and sponsors.
Brandon “Gladiator” Adams (8-0, 4 KOs) of Los Angeles, CA, wasted little time in dispatching Yair “Pulpo” Aguiar (10-18, 4 KOs). Aguiar went down twice in this match. The end came at 2:52 of round two of their scheduled six round super welterweight match. The shots to the liver and abdomen were too devastating. Over the stretch of the last eight years, Aguiar has now lost 16 of his last 20 fights.
After his win over Jesus Rojas (2-1), Jonathan “Johnny Boy” Quiroz (2-1) an 18 year-old high school senior from Oceanside, CA had his arm raised by referee Pat Russell.
After suffering his first pro loss, Jesus Rojas is joined by his mates, boxers Pablo Cupul and James Taylor from the Marron Boxing Camp in Lakeside, CA.
Flyweight Jesus Rojas (2-1, 1 KO) suffered his first pro loss at the hands of Johnny Boy Quiroz (2-1) of Oceanside, CA by way of a four round unanimous decision with scores of 40-36 twice and 39-37. Far and away, this was the most entertaining bout of the show.
Carlos Morales (R) has that forlorn, “Ground Hog Day” look on his face after the scores were announced. Once again he had to settle for a draw.
Hard luck Carlos Morales (0-1-3) of Highland Park, CA. ended Friday’s match with his third straight draw. This one was against Escondido, CA’s Roque “Rocky” Ramos who was making his pro-debut. At least Morales is consistent. In all four of his matches, he looked razor sharp. His critics will tell you he gets lazy and never goes beyond matching his opponents’ output. As in previous matches, he went into that final round, appearing to be ahead on the scorecards. Then like the chess player who gets overconfident at the end and makes a careless mistake before calling out checkmate, Morales once again got complacent. Did Ramos do enough to earn that stalemate? Whatever you do, don’t go asking Morales that question because he’s upset.
During intermission, raffle tickets were drawn and a bottle of Champagne was awarded. As the winner approached the steps to the ring, announcer Benny Ricardo was taken back by the young lady’s beauty. In his usual deadpan manner he remarked, “Oh, wow!” For those of us who saw his surprised look, it was very funny. That’s why his standup comedy is such a hit in Las Vegas. Being a dirty old man myself, I just had to grab my camera for several photos. See for yourself – the “Oh, Wow” gal’s photo with the lovely Jolene Blackshear. She should soon have her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The other winning ticket was for a pair of signed boxing gloves presented by the current WBC Lightweight Champion of the World, Antonio DeMarco. Chris Lerma, who trains boxer Danielle Wolfe, won the gloves.
