Boxing in all it’s glory on La Terraza of the Grand Hotel Tijuana

Friday evening, September 20, 2019, the LATV broadcast team in conjunction with The Jab Promociones team was back at the Grand Hotel Tijuana presenting another outstanding line-up of pugilists featuring the return of fan favorites **Antonio Lozada** (40-3-1, 34 KOs), **Tania “La Chula” Enriquez** (13-0, 7 KOs) and **Marcos “Zurdo” Vazquez** (14-0-1, 7 KOs).

At Thursday’s weigh-ins, there were these snide remarks about the big guy, **Irvin Sarabia** (right) having such a huge advantage in his upcoming bout with the shorter **Enrique “Mentado” Lara** in **Bout #1**. Sarabia, just a hair under 6-foot tall, would have a tremendous height and reach advantage over Lara who is just 156 centimeters tall. That being said, Lara, a southpaw, said he would come prepared and more than ready to level the playing field.

**Friday evening, Bout #1:** From the outset all eyes were riveted on this contest between the **5 foot, 1.42 inches** **tall** **Enrique “Mentado” Lara** Global ID 881036, (0-0-1) of Tijuana, who was taking on the much taller, **5’11 ½” tall** **Irvin Sarabia,** Global ID 898241 from Tijuana, who was making his professional debut? After the opening bell, the tiger was let out of his cage. To summarize, the broad-shouldered Lara, a southpaw, had little to no problem handling his taller opponent. He simply went nonstop with these fanatical, wind-up, power shots and made every blow count.

At this point in the match, we saw the justifiable, worried look on referee **Juan Manuel Morales Lee**‘s face as he envisioned **Irvin Sarabia** going through the ropes.

One can only imagine the scare Lara’s coach experienced when he saw his fighter get pummeled squarely by this fully-leveraged left hook thrown by Irvin Sarabia. Though dominating up to that point, Lara must have had his bell rung when out of nowhere he got clobbered by this beauty of a punch. A punch that could have easily sent him to the canvas.

As you can see, **Enrique “Mentado” Lara** (left), did survive that powerful blow from his opponent **Irvin Sarabia** (right) and as a consequence, his arm was raised in victory.

In his Pro debut back on May 11th of this year, **Enrique “Mentado”** **Lara** faced the bigger and more experienced **Marco Antonio Garcia Toledo** (3-2) only to have that fight end in a draw. Friday evening, immediately following his first victory as a professional, all three of us understood the significance of the victory. The overjoyed **Lara**, his thankful **coach Kid Melo** and yours truly. Finally, all of Mr. Lara’s hard work has started to pay dividends.
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If you were the show’s program director/matchmaker and you were intent on giving your audience a show they’d always remember, which of your next match-ups would you consider as a followup to this Lara vs. Sarabia scrap? Of course, having the benefit of hindsight, you’d want to capitalize on the theme just presented, that of having another pint-sized underdog face another, much taller gent, for a second David vs Goliath clash. Good gameplan right?

The promoter had already planned for this scenario and had the much shorter **Andres “Chaparro” Lucas Garcia** Global ID#832854 (4-1, 4 KOs) from Rosarito, B. C., Mexico set to face the much taller and slender **Axel Garcia** Global ID 878947 (0-2) from Tijuana.

Our critique of this battle doesn’t give justice to the boxers who certainly gave it their all. At the outset, it appeared the taller **Axel Garcia** (red gloves) was not as busy. He was being more tentative and landed the softer, sometimes telegraphed punches, while the shorter **Andres “Chaparro” Garcia** landed the much sharper, head-snapping blows, especially his left hooks.

As things started heating up, it became clear that **Andres “Chaparro” Garcia** (right) still had the quicker hands and more power behind each punch.

Here we see Axel Garcia (l) delivering a left uppercut to contradict our earlier assessment.

At the close of **Bout #2**, we see an overjoyed **Andres “Chaparro” Garcia** having his arm raised in victory by veteran referee **Juan Manuel Morales Lee**. Meanwhile, **Axel Garcia** (right) shows his good sportsmanship by clapping for his victorious opponent.

**Bout #3** had 23-year-old **Romario “Little Boy” Ovalle** Global ID#825244 (5-1, 4 KOs) from Tecate, B. C., Mexico going up against 28-year-old **Raul Tostado** **Santillan** Global ID #883036 (0-3) from Tijuana, B. C., Mexico. This bout was over in a flash.

Just seconds into his match with **Romario Ovalle**, **Raul Tostado Santillan** found himself down on the canvas and contemplating whether he wanted to continue or go home.

With the early stoppage, **Romario “Little Boy” Ovalle** (left) improves to (6-1, 5 KOs) while his opponent **Raul Tostado** **Santillan** continues along on his winless streak, now at (0-4).

Romario “Little Boy” Ovalle was interviewed by LATV’s Fernando Paramo after this quick forfeiture by his opponent Raul Tostado Santillan.

**Bout #4** featured super lightweights, 23-year-old **Vicente “Suavecito” Portillo** (left), Global ID 719590 living in Tijuana, B. C., Mexico by way of Colorado, (6-0, 3 KOs), who now has veteran trainer **Pacheco Enriquez** in his corner, facing the 23-year-old **Martin** **Isaac “Chocoleiro” Gutierrez** (2-3, 2 KOs) (right) Global ID 659321 from Ensenada, Mexico where he is coached by standout boxer/coach **Mario “Rocky” Meraz**. Both men are righties.

Being of almost identical size and boxing aptitude, **Vicente Portillo** (right) and **Martin Isaac Gutierrez** (left) set out on their four-round super lightweight battle.

In short order, things got out explosive and **Martin Isaac Gutierrez** went down on the canvas. Within seconds, Gutierrez followed his natural instinct to get back up on his feet. Still dazed by the punch, referee Fernando Renteria suddenly had his hands full.

From that point, it was, “I could use a little help!” to an ear-shattering, ***“Help!”*** Within seconds, the fight doctor plus two assistants were up in the ring caring for the boxer. Your winner by knockout, **Vicente “Suavecito” Portillo** who improves to 7-0 with 4 KOs.

After the quick destruction of Martin Isaac Gutierrez, we made a point of getting a photo of the man of the hour: Vicente “Suavecito” Portillo (center) along with his most loyal and trusted support team.

Bout #5, a super featherweight clash, had 18-year-old, Ricardo Urias Garatachia, Global ID 872547, DOB 12-4-2000, (3-0, 2 KOs) from Rosarito, B. C., Mexico taking on Jose Eduardo “Eddy” Lopez Senteno Global ID 843178, DOB 3-6-1992, (5-1, 4 KOs) also from Rosarito, B. C., Mexico. The difference in their pedigree? In all three of Garatachia’s previous fights, he had faced a boxer with a winning record. In the other corner, Jose “Eddy” Lopez had fought six times and only faced one boxer with a winning record and in that match, Lopez lost by a mixed decision.

**Bout #5:** Still reeling after being hit by a powerful, overhand right, the fallen **Jose Eduardo Lopez** begins his valiant attempt to get back up on his feet.

Under the watchful eye of referee **Fernando Renteria,** we see Lopez, Global ID 843178) (4-1, 3 K0s) reaching out for the ring ropes for support so he could get back on his feet and continue his battle with Ricardo Urias, Global ID 872547 of Rosarito (3-0, 2 KOs).

With referee Fernando Renteria’s decision to stop the fight early, some fans might argue it was too early of a stoppage. Regardless, your winner of **Bout #5** by TKO, **Ricardo Urias**.

With everything happening so fast, these are the only photos we could get at the conclusion of Bout #5. We have the photo (left) of **Jose Eduardo Lopez** of Rosarito, B. C., Mexico, Global ID #843178 who’s record now drops to 4-2, 3 KOs, while his victorious, extremely happy opponent, **Ricardo Urias** (right), also from Rosarito, improves his record to (4-0, 3 KOs)

Bout #6 was a four-round super featherweight contest between 26-year-old, 5’8″ tall Marcos de la Torre of Tijuana (0-3), DOB 9-17-1993, red gloves, Global ID# 836848 and 24-year-old, 5’6″ tall, Marco Antonio “Chino” Garcia Toledo DOB 11-05-1994, from San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora, Mexico, Global ID# 830693, blue gloves, who was making his Pro Debut.

In this bout, it appeared De La Torre’s strategy was to remain elusive and pick his spots to outpoint the more powerful Garcia. The problem with this strategy came in the later rounds when Garcia began to corner De La Torre and start landing the much heavier and more effective blows to gain his unanimous decision victory and secure his first victory as a Pro.

The other tells in **Bout #6** which led to the judges favoring **Marco A. “Chino” Garcia** **Toledo** (right) were: 1) in Round #2, Garcia scored the only knockdown in the fight, 2) he was landing the harder blows throughout and 3) in between rounds 3 and 4, for some unexplained reason, one of his cornermen drenched De la Torres’ hair with water and as a result, each time Marcos was hit in that final round, there was this wide spray of water coming from each of Garcia’s punches that gave the impression each of Chino’s blows were substantial.

Without a scratch on his face, we have to assume the gentleman escorting **Marco Antonio “Chino” Garcia Toledo** from the ring to the boxer’s dressing room is his manager.

Making their way to the ring for **Bout #7**, we get our first siting of the combatants (l to r) super lightweights 28-year-old **Sergio Hernandez “Oaxaca” Cabrera** (2-2-1, 1 KO) Global ID 848553 of Playas de Rosarito and his 30-year-old opponent **Omar Ismael “Temible” Galindo** (2-5-0, 1 KO) Global ID 392466 from Tijuana.

Getting better and better with each performance. Bout #7 featured a fan-favorite Omar Ismael “Temible” Galindo of Tijuana (right), who after his defeat of Sergio “Oaxaco” Hernandez (left) of Rosarito, now goes to 3 victories, 5 defeats, with 1 KO. Insiders believe it’s because he’s now perfected this strategy of fighting opponents in close quarters, not unlike fighting your opponent in a telephone booth. Whatever works.

Once again, we see Omar Galindo (right) out-foxing Sergio Hernandez to land this solid left uppercut.

Fighting in close quarters each and every round, this was that one rare occasion when we saw some separation.

(photo left) With his proud coach, **Juan Jose Ramirez**, patting him on the back, it appears his fighter Galindo is more reticent and prefers to wait for the official announcement of his victory. Even after his victory, Galindo doesn’t go crazy. He knows he still has a long way to go before he can earn himself a championship belt.

And for Galindo’s fan base: On his return to the dressing room, there are more than a few fans calling out his name or pressing him for either a photo, a handshake or a fist pump.

Bout #8 featured Ana Victoria Polo (8-5, 2 KOs) from Mexico City who had accepted the formidable task of taking on the taller and more accomplished crowd favorite Tania “La Chula” Enriquez (13-0, 7 KOs) on her home turf.

After all the hard work in the gym, the confident, 22-year-old, 5’6″ tall southpaw **Tania “La Chula” Enriquez** Global ID 665-875, along with her coach/father **Gustavo Enriquez**, approached Friday’s contest as just another step along the increasingly tough road to becoming a World Champion just as her older sister **Kenia Enriquez** did.

When you’re in the position she’s in, a top-ranked contender, Tania “La Chula” Enriquez can not afford even one miscalculation. As a result, her punches were thrown with bad intentions and rarely missed their mark.

At the conclusion of **Bout #8**, referee **Juan Manuel Morales Lee** raises the arm of the victorious **Tania Enriquez**.

What you never want to see are the injuries to your opponent, like the one we saw on Friday night on Ana Victoria Polo’s forehead. https://trueremedies.com/how-to-treat-a-hematoma/

Here we have fan favorites: Tania “La Chula” Enriquez and her father Gustavo Enriquez immediately following their big win on the Terraza of the Grand Hotel Tijuana.

Bout #9 had the big guy, 29-year-old southpaw Marcos Ramon “Zurdo” Vazquez (14-0-1, 7 KOs) (right) from Tijuana, Global ID #850593, in a 6 round Super Middleweight battle with 29-year-old righty Julio Cesar “Vikingo” Avalos (18-6, 8 KOs) (left, red trunks) who was visiting from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, Global ID #549959.

This dandy left hand from Avalos was right on target.

Strategy-wise, Vazquez seemed content to just lay back and wait for Avalos to bring the fight to him. While at times, this strategy made Avalos look to be in control of the fight, the pay-back counter lefts from Vazquez let the judges know who was really in charge of this fight.

Vazquez is now shown pounding Avalos in the neutral corner. Some people might be asking, where was all this great offense early on in the fight?

With most of the rounds being close, all eyes were riveted on that sixth and final round, the round in which Vazquez had suddenly pulled out all the stops and went all out to secure this very close victory.

Here we see **Marcos Ramon “Zurdo” Vazquez** (now 15-0-1, 7 KOs) having his arm raised in victory by veteran referee Fernando Renteria.

In the Main Event, Bout #10, they featured 29-year-old Antonio “Kns” Lozada Torres (40-3-1, 34 KOs) Global ID #365812 of Rosarito, B. C., Mexico, the son of Antonio Lozada Sr. a former boxer and now his son’s coach/mentor, plus current President of the Rosarito Boxing Commission, who would be taking on the 25-year-old Marco Antonio “Poema” Juarez, also from Rosarito, Global ID #591469, (9-5-3, 3 KOs).

While Antonio Lozada Torres, Global ID 365812, was returning to action after his brutal, nationally televised TKO loss, on May 25, 2019, to “The Sniper” Jose Pedraza (a boxer ranked in the top 10), in their battle for the WBO Latino Lightweight Title, Marco Antonio Juarez’s last bout was back on March 1, 2019, a Unanimous Decision win over Saul Guardado (8-1) who had built up his record by defeating opponents with a combined record of 18 wins and 70 losses. It’s also important to note, that Juarez had only recently returned to the sport after a long, almost three year sabbatical from competing. With Lozada’s height and reach advantage, surely he would be benefiting big time from softening up his opponent from a distance. On the downside, several insiders were commenting on the fact that Lozada doesn’t have much of a jab and gets very little support from his thin legs which fail to afford him the necessary staying power to last into the later rounds.

Boxing in all it’s glory on La Terraza of the Grand Hotel Tijuana

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