Youngster comes of age, Saul “Bebe” Hernandez upsets Isaac Zarate
Saul “Bebe” Hernandez is interviewed by Borizteca Boxing Promotion’s guest commentator Danny Roman after Hernandez’s dramatic split decision victory over the highly touted Isaac Zarate.
On Friday evening, September 23rd, the Borizteca Boxing Management Group returned to the Salon Mezzanine in Tijuana for another U. S. versus Mexico border war and as you might expect from a 10 bout fight card, it featured more than a few surprising developments.
In the 8-round Main Event, featherweight Isaac Zarate (12-1-2) of Los Angeles, the former hot prospect of Ken Thompson Promotions of Orange, Calif. lost by split decision to 20-year-old Saul “Bebe” Hernandez of Tijuana (7-9-2, 5 KOs). With the many tough opponents Hernandez has faced, his record was just 1-4-1 over the past two years. Unlike most boxers who are brought up gingerly, Hernandez began his Professional career at age 15 and was always ready and willing to fight anyone even if they had a ton of experience or even if they were five to 10 years older. With his victory over Zarate, Hernandez showcased his five-year maturation and proved to all that he is now ready to face the higher echelon in the sport.
Saul “Bebe” Hernandez was all smiles after his victory over the highly touted Isaac Zarate who on occasion has sparred with Abner Mares and trains regularly with stablemate Danny “The Baby Faced Assassin” Roman.
In the co-Main Event, it was the 19-year-old southpaw sensation Tania “La Chula” Enriquez (9-0, 6 KOs) of Tijuana facing fellow flyweight 30-year-old Selene Lopez (3-5-3, 1 KO) from Mexicali, B. C., Mexico. Back on May 8, 2015, in a 10 round bout for the vacant WBC Fecombox Flyweight Title, Enriquez soundly defeated Lopez on Lopez’s home turf and won almost every round. In Friday’s contest, Lopez hung tough with Enriquez to give her a bit more than she was expecting.
As far as Selene Lopez (left) gaining her revenge in the rematch with Tania Enriquez… it never happened. Enriquez is on another level.
At the conclusion of her 8-round contest versus Selene Lopez, there was confidence plus written all over Tania Enriquez’ face.
Boxing announcer Shary Sarmiento (r) is shown interviewing Tania Enriquez (l) after her unanimous decision victory.
In the show’s opener, Bout #1, Borizteca featured the much taller super middleweight Efren Aquirre (2-0) from Los Angeles, Calif. taking on 35-year-old Juan Carlos Moreno (0-15-1, a victim of 9 KOs). Then, at Thursday’s weigh-in, the less accomplished Moreno looked to be out of shape and the scale proved that point. He had missed the projected catch weight and outweighed Aquirre by 12 pounds. Still, the slightly rusty Aquirre confidently accepted the bout. Then, in Friday’s first round, Aguirre made this foolhardy, all or nothing push to get Moreno to quit, to take a knee. The cagey Moreno must have taken offense with his cocky attitude and from that first round on, he ended up giving Aquirre a battle royale. Aquirre, who has fought just once a year since making his Pro debut, might want to rethink that strategy in future scraps. The end result? Moreno had enough in his gas tank to win two rounds and have their contest declared a draw.
In round one, Efren Aquirre (r) went all out to intimidate and make his opponent, the winless, Juan Carlos Moreno quit on his stool.
After getting pummeled from pillar to post in round one, back came Moreno in the remaining rounds to secure the draw. Photos: Victor Morales
In Bout #2, it was Kevin “KO” Ottley (3-0, 2 KOs) of San Diego earning his third victory without a defeat by winning a unanimous decision over Juan Herrera (0-3-1) of Tijuana. He didn’t secure his usual knockout but he did dominate in all four rounds.
Kevin Ottley of the Bomber Squad Academy in El Cajon, Calif. makes his way to the ring.
Kevin Ottley wasted no time and went straight to work battling the competitive Mr. Juan Herrera of Tijuana.
After his win, the undefeated Kevin Ottley is shown being interviewed by Danny Roman, the current WBA-NABA Super Bantamweight champ.
Lights, camera, action – it all looks so easy when you’re a professional.
In Bout #3 super lightweight Edgar Valadez (2-0) of San Diego used his full leverage to load up on Victor Ramos of Camalu, Mexico who he stopped early. With the loss, Ramos drops to (0-2).
Just prior to his bout versus Victor Ramos, we see Edgar Valadez with his proud coach Armando Barajas of Mondo’s Boxing Club, Spring Valley, Calif.
Edgar Valadez of San Diego has his arm raised in victory by referee Juan Morales Lee after his quick destruction of Victor Ramos in Bout #3.
In Bout #4, USA amateur sensation Elias Diaz of Chula Vista, Calif., a super welterweight, made his professional debut against Alexis Zamarripa (0-1) of Camalu, B. C., Mexico. On July 15, 2016, Zamarripa was stopped in the second round by Kevin “KO” Ottley. Diaz was content to simply outbox Zamarripa to gain the unanimous decision.
Pop and son, Greg Diaz (r) and his son Elias Diaz (l) of Chula Vista, Calif. pose for a photo after Elias Diaz easily wins his first professional fight by a unanimous decision over Alexis Zamarripa of Camalu, B. C., Mexico.
In Bout #5, it was super lightweight Jorge Marron of Lakeside, Calif. improving to (3-0) after out-boxing Julio Figueroa (0-4) of Camalu, B. C., Mexico.
In between rounds in Bout #5 we see the undefeated Jorge Marron getting some advice in between rounds.
In Bout #6, welterweight Ricardo Valdovinos (2-0) of San Diego went at his opponent in complete and unadulterated destruction mode. Valdovinos made quick work of Juan Hernandez of Tijuana who now drops to (0-2).
On arrival, Ricardo Valdovinos appeared calm and cool as his support group, to include coach Jason Haines, gathered around to wish their hero the best.
Welterweight Juan Hernandez of Tijuana, along with his entourage, makes his way to the ring. Little did he know how rough a night it would be.
Even the referee cringed when he saw Valdovinos (r) unload this solid right cross to the head of Juan Hernandez. All photos: Victor Morales.
Ricardo Valdovinos (left) mixed in an occasional uppercut.
This was one of the head spinning punches that Ricardo Valdovinos threw.
At the conclusion of the fight, Ricardo Valdovinos salutes his supporters as he makes his way to his corner.
After the announcement of his victory Ricardo Valdovinos is surrounded by the show’s hostesses and interviewed by color commentator Shary Sarmiento.
In Bout #7, it was super featherweight Mario “Guero” Ramirez (1-1) of Camalu, B. C., Mexico, earning a unanimous decision by virtue of winning every round over Esteban Cayetano of Tijuana (0-2).
Bout #8 had the explosive Armando Tovar (4-1) of San Diego’s House of Boxing back to face the winless Ramon Madero from Tijuana (0-5). As you might expect, Madero failed to go the distance for the fifth time. The end came early in round two after Madero took some solid shots to the midsection. With the win Tovar improves to 5-1 while Madero drops to (0-6).
In round one, the feeling out round, we see Ramon Madero (r) going all out to land that one big punch.
After a while, it was all Armando Tovar (l) who was landing the harder punches, especially the ones to Madero’s midsection.
One of the most telling punches of the fight may have been this solid left hook by Tovar that landed on Madero’s chin.
Down went Ramon Madero after more than a few hard shots to the stomach.
Here we see Armando Tovar patiently waiting in the neutral as the referee gives Ramon Madero an 8-count and decides whether Madero can continue.
After the bout was officially stopped, the victorious Armando Tovar and his coach Carlos Barragan (r) turn towards the many supporters and acknowledge their cheers of delight. All photos: Victor Morales
Before leaving the ring, Armando Tovar is asked for his thoughts by multiple Emmy Award-winning boxing blow-by-blow announcer Fernando Paramo.
What would a top notch boxing show be without these gents? The evening’s camera crew poses for a quick photo prior to the evening’s telecast.
Friday night’s telecast featured the ever-evolving broadcast team of (r to l) pro-boxer Danny “The Baby Faced Assassin” Roman (color commentary), veteran blow-by-blow announcer Fernando Paramo and for the female’s perspective, it was the lovely Shary Sarmiento. Roman, from Garden Grove, Calif., is the current WBA-NABA super bantamweight champ.
On the same night, in Ontario, Calif., the Ken Thompson Boxing card featured Carlos “Memin” Carlson stopping Alex Rangel in the 3rd round to claim the NABF 118-pound Bantamweight Title. Carlson is now the WBC’s #11 ranked bantamweight. On the same card, Temecula, Calif.’s Danny “Donkey Sack” Andujo (2-0, 1 KO) defeated Cesar Guzman (0-1) with scores of 39-36, 40-35 and 38-37 to gain a unanimous decision victory.
On Friday night, Carlos Carlson (l), the new NABF Bantamweight Title holder, landed this solid uppercut to the side of Alex Rangel’s head.
People are going to start calling Mr. Carlson – the belt collector.
Here we have Danny Andujo (l) and his opponent Cesar Guzman posing for photos at their weigh-in on Thursday, September 22, 2015, at the Doubletree Hotel. Photo: Carlos Baeza/Thompson Boxing Promotions.
Danny Andujo (l) is shown going hard to the body.
