Tecate Boxing show features the Arellano brothers
Arellano brothers, Israel and Antonio pose for a photo with the show’s promoter Gabriel Quinones and their support staff prior to competing in Tecate, B. C., Mexico on Saturday evening. Photo: Jim Wyatt
On Saturday night, the Arellano brothers of Chula Vista, Calif., by way of Tijuana, B. C., Mexico, Israel and Antonio, visited the picturesque town of Tecate to secure two more victories in their campaign to become the next siblings to wear a world title belt at the same time.
At the Imdete Gymnasium, across the street from the Manuel Ceceña Stadium, home of the local Cerveceros baseball team, and just a few blocks from the well known Tecate Brewery, there was a packed house of rabid boxing fans. The promotion was being presented by Luis Lorenzo of Oceans Promotions and Gabriel Quinones of Promociones Quinones. (You got to like that rhyming combo)
Bout #1 was called to a halt after Cesar Candela had to retire after seriously injuring his left shoulder. Photo: Jim Wyatt
At the conclusion of Bout #1, David Godinez (l) had his arm raised in victory by referee Cookie Ramos after Cesar Candela (r) was forced to retire.
After an entertaining amateur show, Bout #1 featured the professionals with 24 year-old David Godinez going up against 17 year-old Cesar Candela. Both of whom are from Tijuana and both were making their pro-debuts. Even though the exchanges were pretty even, Godinez appeared to have more power behind his punches and at the outset of Round #2, one of these power shots caught Candela in the worst possible position and dislocated his right shoulder. Since it was clear to all that the game Candela could no longer continue, referee Cookie Ramos called for a halt to the match.
At the conclusion of Bout #2, boxer Felipe Diosabot (c) posed for a photo with his support staff after he clearly got the best of Gabriel Ojeda.
Referee Cookie Ramos (r) is shown grabbing Gabriel Ojeda from behind after he felt Ojeda was receiving far too many unanswered blows to the head.
Bout #2 featured super middleweights, 38 year-old Gabriel “La Black Mamba” Ojeda and 36 year-old Felipe Diosabot, both making their pro debuts and both with very interesting backgrounds.
Ojeda, who has excelled in many sports and has an incredible muscular physique, just wanted to give professional boxing a shot. Diosabot, also an all around athlete, has been a featured Muay Thai fighter. Like Ojeda he thought it was time to expand his resume.
After a chaotic first round with the fist flying, Diosabot stopped Ojeda early in the second round after landing a four punch combination that had Ojeda in trouble against the ropes. The Muay Thai champ had made the successful transition to the sport of Boxing.
After being knocked silly in the neutral corner, referee Cookie Ramos lent a hand to get the victim, Gerardo Chavez, out of the ring.
Bout #3 featured 22 year-old super lightweight Israel Arellano (3-0 with 3 KOs), the youngest of the undefeated Arellano brothers going up against 23 year-old Gerardo Chavez (1-1) of Cerro Azul, a small town just outside of Tecate.
From the outset, you could see Chavez wasn’t in the mood to waste time. Since it was his intent to get an early knockout, it was rare when he wasn’t swinging for the fences.
While the more polished Arellano ate some punches, it appeared he was getting the better of each exchange. He’d counter off each Chavez miss, then unload the straighter blows to the head and work the midsection.
It took a while but Chavez’s hands soon dropped and when they did, Arellano was there to put the finishing touches on his first round TKO victory. With the win, Arellano improves to 4-0 with all four wins coming by way of knockout.
Israel Arellano (C) has his arm raised by the referee Cookie Ramos after defeating Gerardo Chavez. All photos: Jim Wyatt
Calm, cool and collected, Israel Arellano (c) appears rather placid as he cools down after knocking out Gerardo Chavez in Bout #3.
Boxer Victor “Sina” Fonseca awaits the opening bell to do battle with Antonio Arellano in Bout #4 on Saturday night in Tecate, B. C., Mexico. Photo: Jim Wyatt
After his battle with Victor Fonseca, Antonio Arellano (R) has his arm raised in victory by referee Cookie Ramos.
Antonio Arellano (R) and Victor “Sina” Fonseca (L) posed for a photo after their great performance. All photos: Jim Wyatt
Victor Fonseca poses for a photo with his wife, son and brother-in-law. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Bout #4 featured Israel Arellano’s 26 year-old brother, super lightweight Antonio Arellano (5-0-1, 2 KOs) going up against Victor “Sina” Fonseca (1-1-1).
In Round #1, even though Fonseca was taking the big shots to the head, it was he who kept pressing the action. Overall, you’d have to award Arellano the first round based on his more accurate punching.
Round #2 was a repeat for Arellano until the closing seconds. That’s when Fonseca caught him with two leveraged power shots, a right cross followed a left hook. The punches implied Arellano was in a war.
Rounds three and four were complete chaos as the boxers unloaded the heaviest shots, punches that would normally put boxers to sleep. It was like watching a Wild West duel, only these gunslingers used their machine gun like delivery and stood toe to toe.
At the end of the final round, it was clear neither side was confident about the win and if given an option would have gladly settled for a draw.
With the totaling of the scores taking more than the accustomed time, the drama built. In the end it was Arellano getting the nod, three 115-113 unanimous scores to win the close decision.
In the dressing area, prior to his fight against Juan Pedro Huerta, Victor Ruiz (center) posed for this photo with his support group. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Juan Pedro Huerta (r) comes out to the center of the ring to meet his opponent Victor Ruiz and hear the referee’s instructions prior to competing in Bout #5.
Referee Cookie Ramos raises the arm of Victor Ruiz after he KO’d Juan Padro Huerta with one punch at :07 of the first round.
Bout #5 featured super flyweights Victor “Pelon” Ruiz (6-1, 2 KOs) being challenged by Juan Pedro Huerta of Tecate who was making his pro debut. Unlike Charles Huerta, Juan Pedro Huerta, who bares a resemblance to Pee Wee Herman, had a difficult time defending himself. His bout with Ruiz lasted just 7-seconds, enough time for Ruiz to navigate over to the opposite side of the ring and deliver one punch.
After going the distance in Bout #6, Carlos Carson, the eventual winner, and Mario Lara pose for a photo in the center of the ring. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Bout #6, the final bout of the evening, a six rounder, featured two bantamweights Carlos O. Carson, making his debut, going up against Mario Lara (0-7-1), both from Tijuana and both with similar styles.
From round one round through round six, they traded hard body shots, as if there were an agreement, ‘my turn, then it’s your turn’. The turning point in the match came in the fourth round when Carson twice caught Lara flush. The patrons kept waiting for one or the other or both to show signs of wilting but that never happened.
In the end, the judges gave an unanimous decision to Carson, the more accurate boxer.
Will there be more boxing shows in Tecate? That matter is up for discussion. The locals certainly turned out in force to show their support.
