Sergio Perez wins at Antiguo Cine Bujazan in Tijuana
When there’s no live boxing in the states, some of San Diego’s top boxers, (l to r), Pablo Armenta, Christian Bojorquez and brother Emilio Bojorquez head south to Tijuana to see a show. On Monday, el Antiguo Cine Bujazan hosted a show with Sergio “El Sirenito” Perez in the Main Event. Photo: Jim Wyatt
When you’re 37 years of age and been in the fight game for 20 plus years, you start to hear the rumors, “When’s he going to retire?” Sergio “El Sirenito” Perez (24-13) from Rosarito, B. C., Mexico has no intention of retiring because he still packs a wallop. Just ask Eduardo “La Amenaza” Iniguez who almost landed outside the ring after one of Perez’s punches.
On Monday evening, April 2, 2012, Sergio Perez, a resident of Tijuana, was the headliner on a five bout fight card which had patrons excited all night. Spotlighting local talent, the show was held inside the now gutted ruins of the old Bujazan Theatre built in 1941. Once inside this open air, stone fortress you are immediately harkened back to the good old days, the same way a visit to the Alamo in San Antonio might conjure up thoughts of Sam Houston, Davy Crockett and Colonel James Bowie.
Early Monday evening, the boxing fans started to assemble for the live boxing show at Antiguo Cine Bujazan in Tijuana, B. C., Mexico. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Pre-fight photo: the youngster Victor Ruiz (r) gets ready in the back stage dressing room at the Antiguo Cine Bujazan in Tijuana. Photo: Jim Wyatt
The boxers on Monday night’s fight card, Saul Hernandez (r) and Felix Rubio (l) pose for a photo with their support group. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Well respected boxing coach Emilio Bojorquez (r) finishes the wrapping of Jesus Lopez’s hands for his bout against Felix Rubio. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Daniel Ramirez (r) and his coach signal they’re set to go in Bout #2 against Luis Contreras. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Just minutes away from Bout #1, Jorge Sillas’ trainer takes care of the final tapping around his fighter’s gloves. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Luis Contreras poses for a photo with his support group prior to his match versuw Daniel Ramirez at Antiguo Cine Bujazan. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Still in the last minute preparation stage for his fight against Eduardo Iniquez, Sergio Perez gets his hands wrapped. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Two elder gentlemen remembered the theatre in its heyday and reminisced: “This theatre brings back such fantastic memories. Every Saturday we’d come and see their regular matinee shows featuring a new blockbuster Western with the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melody cartoons as lead ins. Woody Woodpecker, Bugs Bunny, Elmer Fudd and Foghorn Leghorn had the entire audience in hysterics. Those were some fun times.”
While the boxers dressed behind the curtains on the large stage, the ring, situated in front of the old orchestra pit, received some last minute mending. With the angled seating, everyone had a clear view. The only criticism mentioned was in regards to the positioning of the lighting which instead of having the lights shine down on the ring, their lights came in from all four sides and created either a shadow or a blinding light.
Christian Barajas has his arm raised in victory after defeating Jorge Sillas in Bout #1. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Bout #1 featured Christian Barajas (3-0-1, 3 KOs) going up against Jorge Sillas (1-3-0, 1 KO). Since Barajas was the taller of the two, his strategy involved circling on the outside and stinging Sillas with the jab from a far. Sillas’ mission was to cut off the ring and corner the elusive Barajas. In the end, the judges’ decision went to Barajas who frustrated Sillas all bout long with his sticking and moving and occasional darting in and out to land the overhand right.
Daniel Ramirez (rear in red trunks) awaits the referee’s count on the fallen Luis Contreras after this, the second knockdown in Round #1. With Contreras unable to get back on his feet before the count of 10, Ramirez was then declared the winner. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Bout #2 featured Daniel Ramirez making his debut against Luis Contreras (0-1). Ramirez, who has power in both hands, sent Contreras to the canvas twice in the first round, the second time was permanent.
Jesus Lopez (red ball cap) is joined by his support group after his win over Felix Rubio. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Bout #3 featured Jesus “Topo” Lopez making his debut against Felix “Chapito” Rubio (0-1). This was one of those matches where you had the unskilled (Rubio) running right smack into the more polished Lopez, a decorated amateur champion, the sacrificial lamb facing the proverbial buzzsaw. Lopez did everything right and scored an early knockdown in round one, while Rubio was far less productive and proved two things, one, he can sure take a punch and two, he might be getting used to it. So, in the end, Rubio proved how tough he is, while Lopez showed us how to win every round.
Saul Hernandez smiles after his gritty performance in Bout #4 against Victor Ruiz. Hernandez didn’t win but he put up a great fight. Photo: Jim Wyatt
That’s a steady stream of blood coming from Victor Ruiz’s mouth at the end of his grueling bout with Saul Hernandez. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Bout #4 winner Victor Ruiz has his arm raised in victory after outpointing Saul Hernandez to earn his unanimous decision victory. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Bout #4 featured super flyweight Victor “Pelon” Ruiz (3-0-1, 3 KOs) going up against the brawler, Saul “Bebe” Hernandez (1-0, 1 KO). From the opening bell, Ruiz, the more accurate puncher, kept pounding away at the younger, taller Hernandez, while his counterpart would usually miss either because Ruiz would slip the punch or duck under Hernandez’s wider, looping punches. With Hernandez getting hit so often and a bloody mess, the Fight Doctor started checking him out between rounds. Then, in the third round, the underdog landed his own big shots which got the crowd up on their feet. To close out this amazing contest, the two young combatants went toe to toe in the center of the ring. In the end, the more polished boxer, Ruiz, earned himself a unanimous decision.
After getting pounded by the veteran Sergio Perez, Eduardo Iniguez (l) is shown struggling to stay inside the ring. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Referee Juan Manuel Morales Lee raises the arm of the victorious Sergio Perez (l) after his knockout victory over Eduardo Iniguez (right, rear).
As mentioned above, Bout #5, the main event, featured Sergio “El Sirenito” Perez (24-13-2, 16 KOs) going up against Eduardo “La Amenaza” Iniguez (2-7-1, 2 KOs). The days of Perez fighting as a Super Flyweight are of course long gone. For Monday night’s contest, Perez weighed-in at 140.8 pounds and his opponent, a natural welterweight weighed 144.3.
Regardless of the variance in weight, you could see early that this was a mismatch. Perez looked the part of a former champ, from his stance, footwork and head movement as he bore in on Iniguez who stood tall but could never match the hand speed or firepower of the veteran. The former Super Flyweight NABO Champ wasted little fanfare and soon had Iniguez backpedaling. In Round #1, after seeing Iniguez was in serious trouble and almost falling through the ropes, the quick thinking referee, Juan Manual Morales Lee called for an immediate stoppage.
