Rhino Boxing’s USA Amateur Show results Part II
At the end of Rhino Boxing's Show, Jacob Sanchez (L) and Contravis Streziel (R) were joined by the owner of Rhino Boxing and their coaches after they were selected the top performers on Saturday's boxing card.
Bout #9 featured the always tough, 21 year-old Jose Vigil of North County Boxing going up against Elias Diaz of the Gladiator School of Martial Arts and Boxing in Spring Valley. On May 7 of this year, Vigil battled Emmanuel Diaz, Elias’ older brother and lost. He probably figured, if I can’t beat Emmanuel, I might as well go after his baby brother.
Big mistake, because this baby brother has a ton of experience, over 50 bouts to his credit, while Vigil has just 14.
To set the stage for this bout, suffice it to say, these are two of the best amateur boxers anywhere. There’s no doubt the two of them will soon be turning professional.
In this photo, Elias Diaz (L) is shown delivering a devastating downward blow to the head of Jose Vigil. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Telling blows in the first round: While Diaz lands many quick combinations his three big left hooks right on the button get everyone’s attention. Vigil does land one big overhand right. The speed of their exchanges is wondrous to watch.
After the bout ended, referee Rick Ley raised the arms of both Elias Diaz (R), the eventual winner, and Jose Vigil (L) as the crowd applauded their efforts.
Then in Round #2, Vigil got caught square while coming forward and his legs became wobbly. He was definitely staggered but only for a second or two. The bout continued on for the third and final round with the decision never in doubt. After the three rounds, nine action packed minutes, Diaz had his arm raised in victory.
Just another day at the office for Diego Molano (R) who had no problem defeating Christian Leon (L).
Bout #10 featured 12 year-olds Christian Leon of the Gladiators Gym of Spring Valley and Diego Molano of Rhino’s Boxing. From the outset you could see there was a big difference in their experience level and Molano with an assist from his coach were in complete control throughout this bout.
After pummeling each other for three hard fought rounds, Jacob Sanchez (L), the eventual winner, and Contravis Streziel pose for a photo. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Bout #11 was another hotly contested bout featuring two featherweights, 25 year-old Jacob Sanchez of Rhino Boxing going up against 20 year-old Contravis Streziel of Gladiator Boxing in Spring Valley, CA.
In Round #1, with both parties dishing out some heavy blows, it didn’t appear this bout had a chance in H-E-double hockey stick of going the distance. It was Thunder (Sanchez) versus Lightning (Streziel).
Of the two, Streziel looked the most impressive of the two, especially in Round #1. His muscular physique reminds you of a young Mike Tyson and the way he began he looked unbeatable. But as they say, that’s why you play the game. Sanchez never retreated and kept matching the punch count until late in the contest he turned the tide.
Streziel’s downfall began when he threw a low blow – a low blow that cost him a point. Then he got exasperated at himself when several mental lapses lead to some beautiful counters from Sanchez. Then at the end of Round #2, Streziel made the most egregious error of the bout. He slugged his defenseless opponent well after the bell sounded.
Referee Will White raises the arm of Rafael Salazar (R) after he defeated Dexter Escolar (L). Photo: Jim Wyatt
Bout #12 featured 21 year-old Dexter Escolar of Team Temecula going up against 30 year-old Rafael Salazar of Tano Boxing. This bout must have seemed like a 24 hour endurance run for these two. From the opening bell all they did was throw punches until the point of complete exhaustion. At one point, Escolar was so tired he ended up throwing a punch that hit the much shorter Salazar on his kneecap. With many of their punches landing at the very same time, keeping track of the punches landing must have been a nightmare. In the end, Salazar got the nod.
Referee Rick Ley raises the arm of Juan Medina (R) after he defeated Xavion Douglas (L). Photo: J. Wyatt
Bout #13 featured two 8 year-olds Xavion Douglas of Rhino Boxing versus the well schooled Juan Medina of the Gutierrez Gym.
In terms of strength and endurance, Douglas was no match for the Gutierrez trained, in-your-face, puncher who kept his punches coming at a mile a minute, right in the face of the shorter Mr. Douglas. Even though Douglas was the crowd favorite, the decision was never in doubt.
After their grueling battle, Luis Torres (R), the eventual winner, and Mohammad Fakhreddine (L) pose for a photo while awaiting the judges decision. Photo: JIm Wyatt
Bout #14 featured 18 year-old Mohammed Fakhreddine of Old School Boxing going up against 24 year-old Luis Torres of the brand new Gil Boxing Team of Vista, CA.
On June 4, in Fakhreddine’s last bout at the Pacific Coast Boxing Gym, recently renamed the Legacy Gym, he beat Gabriel Chavarria, a fellow who had been training at the Marron Boxing Camp for only three months. This time around he was going up against a more accomplished opponent.
From the outset this was a seesaw battle with Torres dominating and then Fakhreddine dominating, especially in Round #2. In the end, it was a matter of who landed more of the cleaner blows and according to the judges they had Torres on top in this very close match.
Mohammad Fakhreddine, the oldest of the Fakhreddines now in boxing, awaits the judges' official call that he has defeated Darnell Price (L) by TKO. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Bout #15 featured two cruiserweights, 19 year-old Darnell Price, of the U. S. Marine Corps stationed at Camp Pendleton, going up against a 26 year-old who never seems to lose, Mohammad Fakhreddine, the cousin of the gent in Bout #14 (identical names), and oldest of the five Fakhreddines who train together at Old School Boxing in San Diego, in the neighborhood known as the College Area. In his last bout, Fakhreddine smoked Gioseppe Mejia and in that bout as was the case on Saturday, the referee had to stop the bout.
From the opening bell, the two gents were throwing and landing scary punches at a frantic pace, the type of punches that normally land people on their back. How each made it out of that first round is a mystery.
The nervous energy continued into Round #2 until Fakhreddine landed a big left hook that staggered Price. Referee Rick Ley immediately jumped in between the fighters to stop the action. After an eight count was issued, Price surprised everyone by appearing to be completely clear headed and unfazed by the staggering blow.
However, it didn’t take long before Fakhreddine, in hot pursuit, had him in trouble again. With Price backed up against the ropes and taking more blows to the head, referee Ley stepped in to stop the bout.
The Rhino Boxing Team
