USA Amateur Boxing results from Swiss Park in Chula Vista, April 16
April 16, 2011: USA Amateur Boxers put on quite a show at Swiss Park in Chula Vista, CA.
The selection of Swiss Park in Chula Vista to be the site of a USA Amateur Boxing event turned out to be a stroke of genius. Like the city’s name, Chula Vista (Beautiful View), this venue located just seven miles from downtown San Diego, has a picturesque view plus a layout that’s ideal for any inside or outside event. The park kind of reminds you of that dream you once had when you were a child. In the dream you spend a fun filled weekend visiting the rich uncle at his country estate. An estate that has lush green lawns, a covered veranda and just the right amount of shade from the surrounding trees.
That’s what it was like form me. Saturday’s discovery kind of blew me away. In case you didn’t know about it, they have this onsite building at Swiss Park with an inside auditorium that was built in 1970 and it holds 350 people. It’s ideal for most any event from banquets to wedding receptions, from birthday parties (Sweet 16’s or Quinceneros) to full fledged concerts. For me, it was like finding a diamond in the rough. I’m certain that everyone that attended Saturday’s boxing show was impressed.
And now for Saturday’s boxing results:
After the end of Bout #1, Juan Vazquez (l), the eventual winner, went to join referee Don Di Angelo (c) and Saul Mireles (r) his worthy opponent, to await the judges decision. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Bout #1 featured 14 year-old Saul Mireles, (114.2 lbs.) of the ABC Mongoose Gym of San Diego making his amateur debut, going up against 15 year-old Juan Vazquez (116.3 lbs.) of the host gym, the Chula Vista Boxing Gym who had two bouts under his belt. Vazquez, the more in-your-face stand-up boxer, had trouble with Mireles who seemed more elusive and crouched down to be able to work over Vazquez’s midsection. Right up until the bitter end there were heated exchanges with Vazquez being the eventual winner.
Jesus La Guna, (l) of the National City CYAC, the eventual winner, and Gabriel Cortez (r) of the Chula Vista Boxing Club have their arms raised by referee Marc Trejo (c) after giving a terrific performance in Bout #2. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Bout #2 featured 11 year-old Jesus Laguna (70.8 lbs.) of the National City CYAC going up against 10 year-old Gabriel Cortez of Chula Vista Boxing who was making his debut. While Laguna, the taller of the two, was able to dominate his younger foe, there was no quit in Cortez who kept coming. Laguna’s strategy of using his strong jab to keep Cortez at bay worked well and made the judges’ decision easy.
Referee Will White (c) raises the arm of Jose Gomez (l) after his victory over Bruce Ntwari in Bout #3. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Bout #3 featured 23 year old Jose Gomez of the Marron Boxing Camp in Lakeside, CA (135.1 lbs.), making his amateur debut, against 24 year-old Bruce Ntwari (126.4 lbs.) of Chula Vista Boxing in his second bout. In their exchanges, Ntwari, with his boxing skills and reach advantage, could not overcome Gomez’s nine pound weight advantage and punching power.
Oscar Hernandez (l) has his arm raised by referee Marc Trejo (c) after his victory over Corey Snyder (r) in Bout #4. Photo: J. Wyatt
Bout #4 featured 13 year-old Oscar Hernandez (104.9 lbs.) of Rhino Boxing in Vista, CA going up against 12 year-old Corey Snyder (105.8 lbs.) of City Boxing in downtown San Diego. Standing toe to toe, Snyder did well as long as he stayed busy and maintained his stiff jab. Each time he got the least bit lazy, there came Hernandez to unload his stronger combinations.
Antonio Gillen (r) has his arm raised in victory by referee Don Di Angelo (c) after defeating Anthony Quinones (l) in Bout #5. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Bout #5 featured 27 year-old southpaw Antonio Gillen (128.4 lbs.) of the Alliance Training Center in Chula Vista going up against 18 year-old Anthony Quinones (129.1 lbs.) of the Chula Vista Boxing Club. In the end it was Gillen who got the nod after landing more of the cleaner shots. Of the two, it appeared Gillen had the superior leg strength which aided him in the final round.
Oscar Rosales (l), referee Don Di Angelo (c) and Salvador Alvarez (r), the eventual winner of Bout #6, await the judges decision, Saturday, April 16, at Swiss Park in Chula Vista, CA. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Bout #6 featured welterweights, 17 year-olds Salvador Alvarez of Tolteca Boxing of San Ysidro and Oscar Rosales of Chula Vista Boxing who was making his amateur debut. By way of critiquing their performance, it appeared Alvarez was content to be a head hunter and rarely if ever went after the body. His opponent was more of a tree hugger – throwing one punch and then holding. Before they were separated he’d try a sneaky uppercut or a right cross. Rosales’ lack of punches thrown gave him no chance of coming away with the victory.
Referee Will White (c) raises the arm of Edgar Luna (r) after his victory over Johnny Rivera (l) in Bout #7 at Swiss Park, Saturday, April 16, 2011. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Bout #7 featured nine year-old Alan “El Perro” Ramirez (83.5 lbs.) of Rhino Boxing going up against 8 year-old Miguel Briseno of Undisputed in downtown San Diego. While Briseno’s punches were accurate and straight they lacked the power that was behind each of Ramirez’s punches. Ramirez also showcased his elusiveness with the superior footwork.
Ref Will White (c) raises the arm of Alan “El Perro” Ramirez (l) of Rhino Boxing after his victory over Miguel Briseno (r) in Bout #8 at Swiss Park, Saturday, April 16, 2011. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Bout #8 featured lefty Johnny Rivera of the San Diego Combat Academy in San Diego with 2 years of training going up against Edgar Luna of the Julio Sanchez Training Camp in South San Diego who’s only been at it nine months. Luna proved to be the more accurate of the two and won the well contested match by being the busier boxer.
Referee Don Di Angelo raises the arm of Ryan Jellison (r) to signify his victory over Hussein Fakhreddine in Bout #9. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Bout #9 featured 15 year-old Hussien Fakhreddine making his amateur debut. Fakhreddine trains with his two older brothers at Old School Boxing in San Diego’s College area. Fakhreddine was challenged by the much taller Ryan Jellison of City Boxing in San Diego’s downtown.
This was a barnburner featuring back and forth momentum swings that at times favored Fakhreddine and then in the next moment favored Jellison who soon had Fakheddine’s nose bleeding. With both boxers taking some powerful shots to the head, it seemed only a matter of time before one of these heavy hitters was lying flat on the canvas.
After Bout #9 was concluded, Hussein Fakhreddine was joined by his two brothers and cousins to celebrate his fine performance. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Could there be a rematch down the road?
With the decision going to Jellison, Fakhreddine’s family and friends were visibly upset. They figured since the first two rounds were so close with no clear winner, and Fakhreddine clearly took round three, that the decision had to go in their favor. It doesn’t always work out that way, even in the professional ranks.
After the conclusion of their awesome battle, Jose Martinez (l), the winner, and his opponent, Manuel Vazquez (r), pose for a photo. Photo credit: Jim Wyatt
Bout #10 featured 18 year olds, Jose Martinez (157.4 lbs.) of Tolteca Boxing in San Ysidro going up against the always tough Manuel Vazquez (160.7 lbs.) of nearby Chula Vista Boxing. Martinez’s strategy involved keeping Vazquez at a distance by giving him a steady diet of jabs to the head and then moving from side to side. Vazquez, being shorter, kept bull rushing his opponent to try to land his powerful short rights and left. The only problem with Vazquez’s plan was every time he got close, Martinez would tie him up. Also, Vazquez’s punches lacked the usual power, as his feet weren’t set before throwing his punches. After going undefeated in his first six matches, Vazquez has now lost two in a row.
Ref Will White (c) raises the arm of Edgar Armenta (l) after his victory over Israel Casteneda (r) in Bout #11, Saturday, April 16, 2011 at Swiss Park in Chula Vista, Ca.
Bout #11 featured welterweights 26 year-old Edgar Armenta of Chula Vista Boxing going up against 19 year-old Israel Casteneda who came all the way from Fresno, CA. to compete. Armenta’s success came from working the body and repeatedly landing the big left hook while Casteneda tended to be more of a stiff stand up straight, John L. Sullivan type.
Referee Will White (c) raises the arm of Robert Garcia (r) after his victory over Luis Mayorga (l) in Bout #12 at Swiss Park, Saturday, April 16, 2011. Photo: J. Wyatt
Bout #12 featured 19 year-old Luis Mayorga (173 lbs.) of Old School Boxing going up against 22 year-old Roberto Garcia (164.3 lbs.) of the ABC Mongoose Gym. Since both boxers had the same ring experience, this was a great match-up.
The photo of the day involved this all out exchange between Luis Mayorga (left) of Old School Boxing and Robert Garcia (right) of the ABC Mongoose Boxing Gym in Bout #12. Photo: J. Wyatt
