Top Puerto Rican boxers invade mainland for doable wins
Thomas Dulorme smiles after his quick destruction of Aris Armbriz on Friday night. Photo: Tom Casino/Showtime Promotions
Friday, February 17, 2012, live on Showtime from the Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, CA, welterweight Thomas Dulorme and junior middleweight Jonathan Gonzalez visited the Left Coast for two impressive victories.
Thomas Dulorme (R) lands a short right cross on the chin of Aris Ambriz (L). Photo: Tom Casino/Showtime
In the main event, Dulorme (14-0, 11 KOs), of Carolina, Puerto Rico, captured the vacant North American Boxing Federation (NABF) welterweight title with a devastating first-round knockout over late substitute Aris Ambriz (16-3-1, 8 KOs) of Azusa, CA. Gonzalez (15-0, 13 KOs), of San Juan, Puerto Rico, opened the telecast with a solid, hard-fought unanimous 10-round decision over the game Billy Lyell (24-11-2, 5 KOs), of Youngstown, Ohio.
Thomas Dulorme (L) lands a hard left hook on Aris Ambriz (R). The photo illustrates the overwhelming size and strength advantage which aided Dulorme in his victory. Photo: Tom Casino/Showtime
Thomas Dulorme (R) walks over to a neutral corner after delivering the knockout blow. Photo: Tom Casino/Showtime
Dulorme overwhelmed Ambriz, twice knocking him down, the first time with a powerful left hook. The wobbly Ambriz, who took the fight on just one week’s notice after Jose Reynoso had to withdraw when injured in training, made it to his feet the first time. Then moments later came a couple more solid shots. He finally went down from an overhand right that left him out and flat on his back.
“I was prepared physically and mentally to go 10 rounds and I didn’t come in looking for a knockout, so for it to end in the first round was a present for me,’’ said Dulorme, who’s ranked in the top 10 by both the World Boxing Association (WBA) and World Boxing Council (WBC).
“I’ll be back in the gym on Monday trying to learn more. That’s what I do best. Every time I step in the gym it’s all about learning.”
Gonzalez won a more workmanlike battle with continual two-way action with the scores of 98-92 and 97-93 twice. There were no knockdowns.
Jonathan Gonzalez of San Juan, Puerto Rico (L), opened Friday night's telecast with a hard-fought unanimous decision over the game Billy Lyell (R). Photo taken Thursday evening at their weigh-in. Photo: Tom Casino/Showtime
“I’m happy with the result and the way this fight went,’’ said Gonzalez, who is ranked by three of the four boxing organizations and was making his first start in eight months. “I expected a hard fight and I trained for a tough guy who had fought a lot of good punchers who couldn’t knock him out. We knew he was a worthy opponent.
“Lyell was tough but it was clear I won. I felt I was in control and that I hurt him a couple times. I had a few rounds where I allowed a couple flurries, but they always hit the gloves and I was never hurt. I hope to get back into the ring again soon.’’
Lyell, who always gives his best and had his Youngstown buddy, former world champion Kelly Pavlik in his corner during introductions, had no complaints with the decision or the scores.
“He won, probably seven rounds to three, so I have nothing to gripe about,’’ said Lyell. “My plan was to go in and back him up, but I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t believe how strong he was.’’
ShoBox analyst Steve Farhood, who called the doubleheader alongside blow-by-blow announcer, Al Bernstein, was impressed with both of the 22-year-old winners.
“Dulorme has it all as a prospect,’’ said Farhood. “He has a pleasing personality, good looks, and when he scores a knockout his opponent is left flat on the canvas, and that separates him from the pack. He’s as exciting a prospect as we’ve seen on ShoBox in quite a while.’’
