Results from Feb. 28th USA Amateur Show at Intensity MMA
The hotly contested bout between Aaron Alvarez and Raphael Salazar had people on the edge of their seats. There’s already talk about a rematch. Photo: J. Wyatt
The latest USA Amateur Boxing Show took place Saturday, February 28, 2015 at the Intensity MMA gym in South San Diego. The results from the ten exciting bouts are as follows:
At the conclusion of Bout #1, it was Austin Brooks having his arm raised in victory by referee Dana Kaplan after he won the decision victory over Anthony Hess.
In Bout #1, it was 19 year-old Austin Brooks of City Coxing (132 pounds) getting the decision win over 18 year-old Anthony Hess of Long Beach (135.8 pounds) in a well contested back and forth match.
In Bout #2, it was 11 year-old Ashton Silva (l) of Longbeach (81 pounds) getting the win over 11 year-old southpaw Daniel Morales of the House of Boxing in Paradise Hills, San Diego (83.2 pounds). This bout was far too close to determine a definitive winner. It’s likely the judges favored Silva’s approach of being busier by using these rapid fire shorter punches to accumulate points.
Above photos show the sequence of events that led referee Dana Kaplan to call for a stoppage to issue Torrian Benjamin (red gloves) a standing 8-count.
Referee Dana Kaplan raises the arm of the victorious Torrian Benjamin.
In Bout #3, it was 30 year-old Torrian Benjamin of the Alliance Training Center (134.8 pounds) earning the decision victory over 18 year-old Ali Fakhrriddine of Old School Boxing, San Diego (142 pounds).
This was another hotly contested match which at one point looked to be going in Fakhrridine’s direction especially after Benjamin stumbled while backing up. After gaining his composure while being issued a standing 8-count, Benjamin finished the round strong to secure the victory in this close match.
Heavyweights take center stage
Bout #4 was like watching Deontay Wilder (Lonnie Adams) take on George Foreman (J’von Wallace). In this clash, 30 year-old Wallace (238.2 pounds) of Bound Boxing, Chula Vista, CA took a lot of punishment but he delivered even more to get the best of 23 year-old Lonnie Adams (214 pounds) of Long Beach.
Bout #4, between Lonnie Adams of Long Beach, CA (red head gear) and J’von Wallace of the Bound Boxing Academy (blue with yellow) was memorable, a match that few will ever forget. All photos: Jim Wyatt
Both boxers showed amazing durability while taking so many direct, powerful shots to the head. The difference in this match was how Wallace and his punching style had Adams continually fighting off his back foot – in reverse. However, whenever Wallace slowed to catch his breath, there was Adams with these hard counters – counters that would normally stop any man. (photo, bottom right) During a brief intermission, both J’von Wallace (l) and Lonnie Adams (r) were brought back up into the ring to receive further recognition and a trophy for what the organizers deemed “the top Bout of Saturday’s Show”.
Photo (top, right), we see Robert Lopez (l) having his arm raised in victory by referee Rick Ley after he defeated Isaac Colunga. (bottom, left) During intermission, two young ladies take a snack break. (bottom, right) Lopez proudly holds his infant son.
Even though the celebrities at this event came in all sizes, the youngsters always take the best photos, The young lady (top, left) will surely end up in Hollywood. (below, right) pro boxer Chris Martin and his wife brought their son to the show.
In Bout #5, it was your typical southpaw versus righty matchup with the 21 year-old lefty Robert Lopez of the Golden Hands Boxing Team, Chula Vista, CA (125.6 pounds) darting in and out to land the majority of blows and in the end befuddle his 20 year-old opponent Isaac Colunga from the ABC Mongoose Gym of San Diego (130.4 pounds).
Prior to his contest with Felipe Perralta, boxer Leo Rosiles posed for a photo with his support staff from Intensity MMA Gym. (bottom right) Felipe Peralta of the Pride of San Diego Gym has his arm raised in victory after defeating Rosiles.
In the first bout after intermission, Bout #6, it was 16 year-old Felipe Peralta (123.8 pounds) of the Pride of San Diego Gym, Bonita, CA gaining an unanimous decision victory over 15 year-old Leo Rosiles (127.8 pounds) of the host gym Intensity MMA of South San Diego. Even though this one had quite a few momentum swings – the early first round aggression of Peralta, then the four unanswered clubbing overhand rights by Rosiles late in round two, it all came down to that critical third round when Peralta kept up the pressure so that Rosiles eventually have nothing left in the tank.
In Bout #7, it was 13 year-old Adam Palma of the Golden Hands Boxing Team (102.2 pounds) earning the decision victory over 14 year-old Giovanni Rodriguez of the House of Boxing (103.2 pounds).
At the conclusion of Bout #7, head hunter Adam Palma had his arm raised in victory after defeating the formidable Mr. Giovanni Rodriguez.
Prior to the final bout of the day, boxer Adam Palma of Golden Hands Boxing was reintroduced to the crowd and asked to return to the ring for the presentation of a second trophy for outstanding boxer of the show.
Bout #8 saw 21 year-old Nick Carrico (black trunks) of Old School Boxing (160.6 pounds) get the win over of 27 year-old Ulises Zumaya of the Alliance Training Center, Chula Vista, CA (156 pounds) in another slick, well contested boxing match. Bottom, right, Carrico is joined by his support group (l to r) former boxer, now gym owner and coach Ernest “Silky” Johnson, former boxing sensation Ernest “Too Slick” Johnson Jr., Mohamad Fakhrriddine, Ali Fakhrriddine’s father and Ali Fakhrriddine.
What a scrap! They’re saying this pair, Aaron Alvarez (l) of the ABC Mongoose Gym and Raphael Salazar (r) of the Pride of San Diego Gym will be meeting again. A very competitive rivalry has been established. All photos: Jim Wyatt
Though it doesn’t look like it from the photos above, in Bout #9, it was 16 year-old Raphael Salazar of the Pride of San Diego Gym, Bonita, CA (110.8 pounds, black trunks, red stripe) getting the best of 14 year-old Aaron Alvarez (114.4 pounds, blue with white stripe) from the ABC Mongoose Gym in San Diego. Back and forth they went clobbering each other with more offense than defense.
In Bout #10, Alan Damian of Intensity MMA (115 pounds, black trunks, red stripe) out-boxed, out maneuvered Brandon Cruz (114.4 pounds, black trunks, white stripe) to get the win.
All in all, the credit for this outstanding show has to go to the matchmaker, Bobby Lopez, who managed to stack the deck with well contested, competitive matches. The next, local USA Amateur show will be on Friday evening, March 6, 2015 at the Bound Boxing Academy, 457 Broadway, Chula Vista, CA 91910. Like this show, the owner of Bound Boxing, Juan Medina Jr., has 10 pre-matched bouts ready to go for another exciting night of boxing. First bout is set to start at 7:30 p.m. For further information call: (619) 271-1500.
