Results from latest USA Amateur Boxing Show at Bound Boxing
The dramatic ending of Bout #6 between John Yancey (on the canvas) and Robert Lartigue (r) will be remembered for a long time. Photo: Jim Wyatt
On Friday evening, the Bound Boxing Academy on Broadway in Chula Vista, CA hosted the first, locally sponsored USA Amateur Boxing Show in almost four months. The last time a gym hosted a show was back on June 14th when the National City CYAC hosted the Battle of the Badges.
That show, at the Four Points By Sheraton Hotel in San Diego, was solely for those involved in law enforcement. That’s far too long for our local boxers to go without testing their skills. To quote former pro boxer Ernest “Too Slick” Johnson, it takes on average five consistent years of training before you can turn professional.
Before that CYAC show, United Boxing & Fitness Center hosted a show in May. Hopefully, others will now follow suit.
October 10, 2014, early Friday morning, at the Bound Boxing Academy, the support staff had just completed the set-up for the evening’s USA Amateur Boxing event.
Getting back to Friday’s event, in Bout #1, they had 22 year-old Enrique Lopez (11-3, 180 lbs.) of Tanos’ Boxing, Oceanside going up against 27 year-old Alex Jackson (3-1, 181 lbs.) from the Gladiator School of Boxing & Martial Arts, Spring Valley. Both boxers, in the cruiserweight division, are southpaws.
In Round #1, both gents threw big bombs but to his credit Lopez appeared to cover up better and thus not get hit as much. By round two, Lopez started having better success with his right hand both the hooks and straight punches. Still, his lack of movement and overall defense left him open for more than a few heavy blows to the head. By the final round, both boxers had nothing left in the tank. In the end, Lopez had built up a comfortable lead to be awarded an unanimous decision victory.
Enrique Lopez (c) and Alex Jackson (l) size each other up in round one of their USA Amateur Cruiserweight contest. All photos: Jim Wyatt
“Hey, save some for me!” Enrique Lopez’s coach is caught drinking on the job.
Whoa! At the conclusion of their bout, Enrique Lopez (l), the winner had his arm raised in victory by referee Dana Kaplan. Moments later all eyes were on Amaris Quintana, the current NABF Strawweight Champion who presented the winner’s belt.
Before leaving the premises, Enrique Lopez (c) and his support group agreed to pose for one last photo. Photo: Jim Wyatt
In Bout #2, it was 13 year-old Jose Chollet (15-3, 100 pounds) of Barrio Station, San Diego a righty, going up against 13 year-old, southpaw Felix Soria (100 pounds) of S. O. G. Fontana who no doubt has close to 40 bouts under his belt.
When you can make Chollet look bad, you got to be good. Felix Soria and his sister have been dominating in their weight classes for the last two years and this was just another day at the office. With his finely tuned accuracy, Soria doesn’t just throw a punch, he winds it up as if he’s using a slingshot.
Felix Soria (r), the eventual winner of Bout #2, is shown forcing his opponent Jose Chollet into the corner. All photos: Jim Wyatt
At the conclusion of his victory over Eddie Chollet, Diego Luna (r) has his arm raised in victory by referee Dana Kaplan.
In Bout #3, it was 10 year-old Diego “Zorro” Luna (1-1, 68 lbs.) of the host gym, Bound Boxing Academy, going up against 9 year-old Eddie Chollet (0-2, 65 pounds) of Barrio Station.
Luna, one of Coach Juan Medina Jr.’s prize students, was on his game. He held the edge not only in power but quickness. In round two, referee Will White temporarily stopped the bout to issue Chollet an 8-count.
Despite his strong finish in round three, all three judges had Luna ahead in this contest.
In Bout #3, it was Eddie Chollet (r) doing battle against Diego Luna (l).
At the conclusion of his victory over Eddie Chollet, Diego Luna (l) has his arm raised in victory by referee Will White.
(left) After his victory over Eddie Chollet, Diego Luna poses for a photo with his proud parents and (right) with his proud coach Juan Medina Jr.
Bout #4 featured a battle royale between 17 year-old Carlos Remigio (5-0, 137 lbs.) from The Boxing Club of La Jolla and 18 year-old southpaw Austin Brooks (3-0, 134 lbs.) from City Boxing in Downtown San Diego.
In the first round, Remigio was getting off first and had much success with the straight right hands to Brooks’ head. In round two, despite being issued an 8-count, Brooks managed to tie things up with his strong finish.
By Round #3, with Remigio tiring somewhat and Brooks looking as fresh as ever, the match turned Brooks way – big time. For a moment there, it looked as though Brooks might be able to stop his opponent, especially after landing four unanswered blows. After getting off to the slow start, this comeback victory had to be a thriller for the Brooks’ faithful.
The combatants in Bout #4, Austin Brooks (r) and Carlos Remigio (l) face off in round #1. All photos: Jim Wyatt
After his bout with Austin Brooks, Carlos Remigio has his photo taken while awaiting the judges’ decision.
At the conclusion of his bout with Carlos Remigio, the victorious Austin Brooks (l) poses for a photo with his coach Vernon Lee (r).
In Bout #4, it was Austin Brooks pulling off the come from behind victory over Carlos Remigio (l). Here we see pro boxer Amaris Quintana (r) presenting Brooks with his winning belt while he has his arm raised by ref Will White. Photo: J. Wyatt
In Bout #5, it was 18 year-old Tyler Herberger (12-9, 127 lbs.) from Old School Boxing in the San Diego State College Area going up against 25 year-old Contravis Strozier (10-3, 126 lbs.) of the Gladiator School of Boxing & Martial Arts, Spring Valley in a super featherweight contest.
With round #1 being close and Strozier strategically circling on the outside, Herberger likely won the judges over after he landed several round ending shots to the head.
In Round #2, Strozier abandoned the tactic of circling and went straight at Herberger. The change in tactics only worsened things as Herberger began landing these monstrous overhand rights, five in number. With Herberger’s advantage in both height and reach, it was like watching one of the Klitschko brothers do what they do so well against shorter opponents. To his credit, Strozier did go toe to toe with Herberger in the final round albeit in a losing effort.
Referee Dana Kaplan (r) looks on as Tyler Herberger (l) gets ready to land another big overhand right on his opponent Contravis Strozier.
At the conclusion of his bout, the victorious Tyler Herberger (r) posed for a photo with his opponent Contravis Strozier and his coach.
Bout #6 featured 26 year-old, strongman John Yancey (1-1, 167 lbs.) of City Boxing going up against the slightly taller 23 year-old Robert Lartigue (0-1, 168 lbs.) from the Gladiator School of Boxing & Martial Arts.
From the outset, you could see Mr. Yancey had just one thought in mind, deliver that knockout blow. With Yancey’s aggressive style, Lartigue spent the majority of his time dodging the cannon fire, the powerful but wide blows.
Yancey’s coach, Vernon Lee, could see how he was over eager at times and called out to him, “Be patient! It’ll come, let it marinate.” With the majority of the ferocious blows coming from Yancey in round one, you’d have to say that round went in his favor.
When the bell rang for round two, Yancey, still straining on the leash, moved at a gallop towards Lartigue’s side of the ring. Lartigue saw him coming and sat down on this beauty of a left hook which sent his opponent flying backwards on the seat of his pants. The made for TV surprise punch, right on the button, had most everyone’s jaw dropping.
The high-strung Yancey didn’t sit for long. He got up in an instant but with his head still spinning, he lost his balance and drifted backwards into the ropes. Referee Will White deemed Yancey in trouble and never gave any thought to a 10-count.
In the first round, John Yancey (l) had his arm cocked ready to lower the boom on his opponent Robert Lartigue. All photos: Jim Wyatt
This collage of photos (top to bottom) shows the sequence following the John Yancey knockdown by Robert Lartigue in Bout #6. Below his coach Vernon Lee looks up at his student, both men heartbroken by the developments.
Robert Lartigue (r) has his arm raised in victory by referee Will White after he defeated John Yancey (l). On hand to make the presentation is Amaris Quintana, the current Women’s NABF Strawweight Champion.
(left) Is that Miley Cyrus acting goofy or USA Amateur Boxing and PAL Champion Andrea Medina doing another of her many impersonations? (top, right) NABF Strawweight champ Amaris Quintana (c) presented the winning belts.
