Weigh-ins complete for July 6, 2018 Grand Hotel Tijuana Boxing Show

On Friday night, one of these gents, either the undefeated super lightweight Jorge Marron Jr. (l) from Lakeside, Calif. or the defending champion Jorge Luis Zapoteco (r) from the host city, Tijuana, will be taking home the coveted championship belt. Photo: Jim Wyatt

In Bout #3, at the Grand Hotel Tijuana, they’ve scheduled a four round featherweight contest between Tijuana boxer, 18-year-old Javier “Javi” Valdes (2-0-1) and Ulises “Duende” Gabriel (2-1) who weighed the exact same (125.66 lbs.) at their weigh-ins on Thursday.

Emmanuel “Renegade” Robles (r) and Hugo “Furioso” Montoya (l) pose for photos immediately following their weigh-in on Thursday in preparation for Friday’s contest.

Bout #6 is a six round welterweight match between Emmanuel “Renegade” Robles, Global ID 546268, who weighed in at 146.61 lbs and Hugo “Furioso” Montoya at 147.71 lbs. Box Rec has him at Robles at (15 wins, 3 losses and 1 tie, 5 KOs). Born 3-14-88, Emmanuel Cortez Robles, now 30 and with several children, debuted on 9-10-2010. In his southpaw stance with his 70″ reach, this new resident of Tijuana has plans to clean house. There are very few boxing fans who don’t know of his exploits. For 10 plus years Robles entertained the San Diego faithful, those in the neighboring counties plus those watching on TV. 

Robles’s opponent on Friday night, the 33-year-old super welterweight “Furioso” Montoya, Global ID#463404, who made his debut on 11-21-03, has also made his mark. Unlike the majority of boxers, Montoya has only fought one professional boxer with a losing record. On Thursday, at his weigh-in, he looked more than ready for his war versus Robles.

(l to r) Noe Larios (6-0, 4 KOs) will be taking on Julio “Manos De Pedra” Alcantar (1–3, 1 KO).

Bout #3, a four round light heavyweight match, features Noe Larios (6–0, 4 KOs) from Ramona, Calif., Global ID 782409, Nationality USA, Debut 12-02-2016. On Thursday, Mr. Larios weighed in at 168.65 lbs. In past fights, he has been known to fluctuate between 154 and 167 lbs. Larios’ opponent on Friday night, Julio “Manos De Pedra” Alcantar (1–3, 1 KO is a victim of 3 KOs) Global ID 825277. Alcantar is 21 and made his debut on 12-16-2017. On Thursday afternoon, Alcantar weighed in at 77 kgs. (169.76 lbs.) which would now have him in the light heavyweight division.

In Bout #4, you’ll see super welterweight Juan Carlos Rubio Terriquez (11–0–0, 4 KOs), Global ID 746260/age 20, Nationality Mexican, a resident of Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico. On Thursday, “El Terri” weighed in at 155.43 lbs.

Juan Carlos Rubio Terriquez’s opponent will be Joan Alcaraz (6–1-0, 6 KOs) who weighed 158.73 lbs. at the Thursday afternoon weigh-ins.

As of late, Alcaraz’s weight has been known to fluctuate between 152 and 166 lbs. The 22-year-old, Global ID 779741, alias “Pitbull”, made his debut on 11-12-16 and after two years has become a force. This resident of Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico got surprised in his last outing by Hector Manuel Zepeda after coming down in weight 9 pounds. Word to the wise, it would be foolish to take the Pitbull lightly.

Manuel “Mani” Yahuaca will be facing the wily veteran Alex “Koreano” Castaneda.

Alex Castaneda, a resident of Rosarito, B. C., Mexico, gave both Armando Tovar Jr. and Ricardo Valdovinos all they could handle. Mani Yahuaca will certainly have his hands full.

Not even this beautiful, young, statuesque, Ring Card Girl could distract these two. At their faceoff, Manuel Yahuaca (l) never took his eyes off the somber Alex Castaneda (r).

Bout #5 has Manuel “Mani” Yahuaca facing Alex “Koreano” Castaneda. At their weigh-ins on Thursday, Yahuaca (2-0-1, 1 KO) Global ID 802011, born 6-11-98/age 20, a Tijuana resident who made his debut on June 2, 2017, looked extremely confident as he looked down on the much shorter Castaneda. On Thursday, Yahuaca weighed 147.71 lbs. while his opponent Castaneda weighed 148.81 lbs.

Castaneda (record 6-2 according to the promoter, 4-2, 2 KOs on Box Rec) Global ID 746637, is a resident of Rosarito, B. C., Mexico. He made his debut on 2-26-16 and has just about a year and a half more experience and certainly faced more formidable opponents than Manuel Yahuaca, his opponent on Friday night. Rumor has it, the much taller Yahuaca is in for a big surprised.

Francisco “Franki” Cuadrado (4-0-0, 3 KOs)

The more serious Sergio Blanco never ventured a smile at his overconfident foe.

Bout #6 features Francisco “Franki” Cuadrado going up against the ripped Sergio Blanco who appeared to be all business.

Bout #6 features lightweight Francisco “Franki” Cuadrado (4–0–0, 3 KOs) Global ID 802012, born 4-09-99/age 19, Nationality Venezuelan, Debut 2017-06-02, Super Lightweight Division, Orthodox stance, who now resides in Tijuana, B.C., Mexico going up against the 26-year-old super lightweight Sergio Blanco (0–1–2) Global ID 730364, Nationality: Mexican, Pro Debut 8-29-2015, who is in the Super Lightweight Division. Fighting out of the “orthodox” stance Mr. Blanco, alias “Bailarin”, is born and raised in Tijuana. His win/loss record according to the promoter is 4-1.

Bout #7, the show’s Main Event has 24-year-old, undefeated super lightweight Jorge Marron Jr. (12–0–0, 3 KOs) Global ID 762901 from Lakeside, Calif. going up against 24-year-old defending champion Jorge Luis Zapoteco (6–4–3, 2 KOs) Global ID 661799. This is an extremely well-matched bout with both men weighing exactly the same and at the same height and reach. Marron being a southpaw should help him while Zapoteco can do similar damage by throwing quicker and straighter right hands. When the talent is this good, it all comes down to who wants it more, who has the biggest heart.

Oscar Ortega (5-0, 3 KOs) from Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico weighed in at 56 kgs. (123.46 lbs.) in hopes of matching-up with Alfredo Espinoza who ended up being a no-show. Espinoza, scheduled for this 4-rounder, was about to make his Pro Debut. Great things are expected of Ortega, the 18-year-old prospect who has quick hands and can really box.

Like Oscar Ortega above, super middleweight Martin Rios from Parera, La Pampa, Argentina, got on the scale and weighed in at 74 kgs (163.14 lbs.) trusting that matchmaker Jorge Marron (left) would be able to find him a suitable opponent for Friday’s show. There was talk that his opponent would be Francisco Lopez (Global ID 456043) from Mochis/Sinaloa, Mexico (2-12-1, 1 KO).

As of noon on Thursday, those two additional bouts were still in the works. Eighteen-year-old hot prospect Oscar Ortega (5-0, 3 KOs) (DOB 6-5-2000) from Hermosilla, Sonora, Mexico who weighed-in at 123.46 lbs. for his 4-round super featherweight bout versus Alfredo Espinoza from Tijuana who is about to make his Pro Debut plus 26-year-old, middleweight Martin “El Terrible” Rios Global ID 636738, DOB 5-20-1992, from Parera, La Pampa, Argentina who weighed in at 175 lbs. for his highly likely bout versus Francisco “Giro” Lopez, from Los Mochis, Mexico, Global ID 456043.

Prediction, this should be an exciting show. See you at the fights!