Day 1 of the 2014 Boxers for Christ National Tournament
Friday evening, December 19, 2014, the Boxers for Christ National Tournament got off to a rousing start at the United Boxing & Fitness Center, Chula Vista, CA.
2014 Boxers for Christ National Championships
The tournament, which once had the likes of Oscar De La Hoya and Shane Mosley competing in it, began Friday night. Without further ado, here are the results from Day 1 at the United Boxing & Fitness Gym on Main Street in Chula Vista.
In Bout 1 it was Diego Luna of Bound Boxing, Chula Vista, CA securing the victory over Miguel Hernandez of Bad Boyz Boxing, Garden City, Kansas in the 9/10 year old, 75 pound grouping. While Hernandez had success in close, Luna capitalized by jettisoning in and out with the better leveraged punches.
(bottom, left) In Bout 1 it was Diego Luna of Bound Boxing, Chula Vista (r) getting the win over Miguel Hernandez of Bad Boyz Boxing, Garden City, Kansas.
In Bout 2 it was southpaw Fernando Diaz (34-1) of Richard Steel Boxing, Las Vegas, Nevada out scoring the less experienced Julian “The Mexican” Rojas of Bound Boxing, Chula Vista in the 11/12 age group, 80 lbs. Diaz, a winner of 8 National Tournaments and just one blemish on his record, a disputed loss in the finals of the Golden Gloves, was masterful throughout. Every time there was an opening, his fists were there to score points and the points came in bunches as he used three and four punch combinations.
(bottom, right) At the conclusion of Bout #2 we see referee Rick Ley raising the arm of Fernando Diaz of Richard Steel Boxing, Las Vegas, Nevada who outscored Julian “The Mexican” Rojas of Bound Boxing, Chula Vista. Photos: Jim Wyatt
Bout 3, another slugfest, had Juan Medina of Bound Boxing coming away with the victory over Antonio Zavala of Duarte Boxing in the 11/12 year-old, 70 lbs. weight class. In this close match, Medina landed the cleaner punches and had far more power on each delivery. At times Zavala’s punches were off the mark and therefore cost him in the point totals.
(bottom, left) At the conclusion of Bout 3 it was Juan Medina (r) of Bound Boxing coming away with the victory over Antonio Zavala of Duarte Boxing.
Bout 4 featured Mario Espinoza of the ICIW (I Can-I Will) Boxing Team going up against the much shorter Fernando Vadespino of Bad Boyz Boxing, Garden City, Kansas in the 13/14 year-old, 114 pound weight class.
You talk about a fun match to watch, this was your classic battle of attrition between the taller Espinoza trying to gain enough space to land his big bombs and the shorter Vadespino constantly smothering his opponent to get in close. After Espinoza’s hands began to drop, Vadespino started to have the success he was hoping for with the right crosses and left hooks landing. The telling blow of the bout came early in round three when Vadespino landed this attention getting uppercut.
(bottom, right photo) Exuberant, Fernando Vadespino of Garden City, Kansas has his arm raised in victory after defeating Mario Espinoza of the ICIW Boxing Team.
Bout 5, in the 15/16 year-old, 114 pound weight class, had Daniel Andujo of Temecula Boxing, Temecula, CA going up against the more experienced and much taller Rey Diaz of Richard Steele Boxing, Las Vegas, NV., who like his younger brother Fernando Diaz has much experience with an awesome record of 60 wins, 10 losses and 8 National Titles.
Andujo did well and at times had an advantage in close but once the sharpshooting Diaz gained some distance, the punches rarely, if ever, missed their target. For this reason, the winner was never in doubt.
Rey Diaz (l) has his arm raised in victory after defeating Daniel Andujo.
(bottom) The entire Diaz clan, except for Mom, all winners, pose for a photo.
Bout 6 featured the gals, Jessica Juarez of San Diego going up against the shorter Desire Maldonado of Bad Boyz Boxing, Garden City, Kansas in the 15/16 year-old female super-lightweight category.
Jessica Juarez (r) has her arm raised in victory after defeating Desire Maldonado.
By far, this was the “Bout of the Night” as Juarez, a multiple USA National Champion, found herself in a tight one against Maldonado, a star in the making. The up and comer, in just her 10th bout, knew the value of smothering Juarez. When she had her pinned against the ropes, Maldonado banged away and dominated on the point totals.
No doubt Maldonado’s tactics had her winning round one. Round two was different as both boxers had periods where they’d dominate but it was Juarez who closed out the round with at least three clean power shots. The deciding frame went to Juarez who’s punches now had bite and were of the head snapping variety. Tiring, Maldonado no longer had the necessary head movement and she started getting caught flush with these straight lefts to the face.
As the first day of the tournament concluded, it was announced that 25 bouts were scheduled to take place on Saturday, Day 2 of the tournament. Come on out and enjoy.
