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Scrap Night at Santa
Ana!
Bang-up card in
Bernalillo Wraps up ESPN Doubleheader
Reid, Hernandez Score Action-Packed Wins!
Adriano Sanchez Returns with Strong Win!
Ray Sanchez, Jaramillo Clobber Foes!
by chris cozzone
Close, non-stop action .
. . dramatic knockouts . . . controversy . . . big names and local prospects:
last night’s fight card at the Santa Ana Star Casino in Bernalillo, NM had it
all.
The second half of an
ESPN doubleheader, co-promoted by Banner Promotions, Richard Steele and the
casino, not only treated the 2,000 or so Albuquerque-area fight fans to two
bang-up NABF title fights, but gave them the opportunity to see one local
boxer’s sound return and two others’ dramatically destroy their opposition.
 Hernandez Hangs On
With ESPN2 going live at
7 PM with Friday Night Fights, the card opened up with an NABF Jr.
Middleweight title defense: Chicago’s Angel Hernandez (22-2, 15 KO’s)
protecting his hard-earned belt against challenger from Delaware, Larry Marks
(22-6, 13 KO’s).
Hernandez escaped
near-ruin in the final round to hold on to his title with a split decision
win.
Nicknamed “El Toro” for
obvious reasons, the stocky Hernandez bulled Marks around in the first two
rounds. While competitive, the fight was Hernandez’s as long as Marks was
going to indulge Hernandez in fighting close-quarter.
 Marks made an adjustment
and came out in the 3rd, winning the round by staying on the
outside and playing matador to “El Toro,” who could not deal with Marks’
footwork and style.
Marks threw his winning
game plan away in the next few rounds. Suckered into brawling with Hernandez,
Marks was pinned against the ropes and pounded on.
Hernandez took a
breather in the 7th, giving the round to the busier Marks, but came
back in the 8th and 9th looking to take his man out.
It’s a close round, with both fighters scoring good right hands, but with
Hernandez landing the harder blows.
Hernandez takes the lead
in the 10th and 11th, pulling ahead on the scorecards
and forcing Marks to realize he needs a knockout to win.
It nearly happens in the
final round, too.
Marks scores big with
left hooks that has Hernandez hanging on for life. Looking to tie up,
Hernandez takes a beating that has him “accidentally” losing his mouthpiece.
At a crucial moment, the action is interrupted and when the fight resumes,
Hernandez locks up with Marks for a desperate slow dance until the bell
sounds.
After 12 rounds, I have
it 8 rounds for Hernandez, 4 rounds for Marks, with the last being a 10-8:
115-112 for El Toro.
Official scorecards read
115-112 for Marks; and 116-112 twice for Hernandez, giving him the split
decision win.
 Adriano Sanchez Returns
With Solid Win!
Local middleweight star
“Amazing” Adriano Sanchez (11-3-1, 8 KO’s) came back strong after a 10-month
lay-off, beating undefeated fighter Lamar Alexander (6-1, 1 KO) with a
majority decision win.
Sanchez was rust-heavy
in the first round, with Alexander closing the gap and landing short punches.
But in the 2nd, Adriano started to warm up, making the round close
by landing hard right hands and trying to utilize a newly-adopted jab.
Not entirely comfortable
with fighting on the outside, using his extensive reach and powerful-but-raw
jab, Sanchez reverted to his ‘South Valley Style’ of fighting in the 3rd
and 4th rounds in order to score the win. Sanchez pressured
Alexander with short, somewhat loopy punches that had the shorter man on the
defensive, giving both rounds to Sanchez. Scorecards read 38 even and 39-37
twice for Sanchez. I had it 39-38 for Sanchez, making the 2nd round
10-10.
While Sanchez scores a
strong win in his comeback fight, beating an undefeated prospect, he’s going
to need more time in the gym and a couple more fights under trainer Ray
Sanchez II before he can step up and take on someone like Joseph Brady.
Sanchez’s two strongest attributes (after his heart)—his jab and straight
right hand with that reach of his that extends to the opposite side of the
ring—have gone unheeded throughout his career. Breaking old habits and
enhancing Sanchez with intelligent boxing will take time—but look out,
Albuquerque, Sanchez is back.
 Reid Slams Sanders in
Controversial Stoppage
The main event on the ESPN2 card was a title fight for the
vacant NABF super welterweight belt between Baltimore’s Teddy “Two Gun” Reid
(20-5-1, 14 KO’s) and Chicago’s Germaine “Silky Smooth” Sanders (21-2, 15
KO’s).
While Reid was able to destroy Sanders, he did it in
controversial fashion.
Round One was a feeling-out round, with Sanders looking
slick and smooth over Reid coming forward looking to land something damaging.
In the 2nd, Reid started to find a place with his bombs and just as
the bell sounds, Sanders, trapped against the ropes, went down.
One punch was all Reid needed—but for extra measure, and
because Sanders was wedged between the 1st and 2nd
ropes—he let loose a few more blows after the bell, nearly blasting Sanders
out of the ring and into this reporter’s lap.
 Finally, after what seemed an eternity—and an even
longer eternity for Germaine Sanders—the ref appeared from nowhereland to
remind Reid the round was over and to (nearly) count Sanders out.
Sanders made the count but stumbled back to his corner a
couple feet away a destroyed man.
Sanders was finished but tried to regain composure and
evade Reid’s bombardment of punches. At 2:15, another combination
put Sanders down and the ref called it quits awarding the TKO win and NABF
belt to Reid.
Sanders’ promoter, Bobby
Hitz, leapt into the ring, enraged and ready to beat the crap out of referee
Al Martinez—for not disqualifying Reid for hitting Sanders after the bell (and
while he was down) so many times; and for not being there as the bell sounded
to stop the action. Hitz eventually calmed down but plans to file a formal
protest with the Athletic Commission and NABF.
 Odom Clocks Rivera
With the main event shortened, there was time for ESPN to
televise a swing bout: Albuquerque’s
Jose Luis Rivera (1-3) vs. Los Angeles’ Calvin Odom (7-3, 5 KO’s).
It was a dull first round, with the taller Rivera jabbing
Odom who was looking to score inside. In the 2nd, he got his wish,
hitting Rivera with a left hook and, soon after, finishing the job with a hard
right hand that floored Rivera in a knockdown that had his head bouncing
dangerously on the canvas. Rivera was attended to and walked away, seemingly
alright.
Sanchez Destroys Tidwell in
Mismatch
 Teddy Reid and Angel Hernandez might’ve been the big names
on the card; and ESPN2 might’ve gone off the air by 9:30, but it was obvious
who the crowd came to see last night.
Entering the ring to local favorite tune, Roberto Griego’s
“Nuevo Mexicano,” with the entire crowd screaming, Ray Sanchez III was looking
for Win #5, Knockout #5.
He got his wish with little effort.
Sanchez’s opponent was pro-debuter Tyree Tidwell, whose
only advantage was weighing in seven-plus pounds heavier than Sanchez. The
extra weight did little but make a louder Thump! when his body hit the
canvas at just :27 of the first round.
Sanchez stormed out at the opening bell and although
Tidwell did his best, it was a hard left cross coming from Sanchez that put
Tidwell in La-La Land.
No doubt about it, Tidwell was overmatched against the
9-time national amateur champ and super lightweight prospect. Sanchez, who is
promoted by Cedric Kushner, has not had an easy time getting opponents. An
opponent with a 26-12 record was nearly secured the week before the fight but
$3,700 was too big a price for an untelevised 4-round undercard fight.
Sanchez has been out of the 1st round but once
(into the 2nd); but all wins are by knockout. Finding foes has been
a challenge for Kushner—and an expensive undertaking.
The Sanchez camp has
expressed the need to step up the competition, and to fight a six-rounder
next—the test, though, no doubt, will not be in Sanchez’s ability to step up
and perform, but in the matchmaker and promoter’s ability to find, then cajole
and pay the opponent for braving the destructive southpaw from Albuquerque.
 
 Jaramillo Wrecks Flores in
Mismatch
In the last fight of the night, former amateur champion
Stephanie “Golden Girl” Jaramillo made her pro debut, stopping Martha Flores
(0-6) in the 2nd round.
Pawing the ground like a rabid bull and scaring half the
audience, if not her opponent, with mean stares, Jaramillo came out strong to
overpower the shorter, round Flores. After a slip to the canvas, Flores got up to fight
back, trying to catch Jaramillo coming in. She landed a few shots but could
not match Jaramillo’s onslaught.
Round Two started to
look like gym work for Jaramillo, as she overwhelmed Flores and landed at will
until the ref called it quits at 1:54.
Although clearly a
mismatch, it was the first time the unwon Flores had ever been stopped. In
impressive fashion, the Golden Girl scores her first big win and knockout.
Who next for Jaramillo?
Matchmakers need look no
further than Stephanie’s hometown of Albuquerque. In a fight that could not be
paralleled for women’s boxing in New Mexico, I got one name for Jaramillo: Holly Holm.
# # #
The Blow-by-Blow
by Ricardo Trujillo
Bout # 1 Hernandez vs.
Marks
RD. 1 – Hernandez comes
out trying to out jab the taller Marks, with some success. A close evenly
contested fight until Hernandez forces Marks to the ropes. Marks has trouble
dealing with the aggressive Hernandez. Round to Hernandez.
RD. 2 – Like the 1st
Hernandez is very aggressive. Marks stays on the ropes to long and pays for
it, but he has his moments as Hernandez’s left eye begins to swell.
RD. 3 – Marks is
fighting more at a distance this round. Hernandez’s short arms are not
effective at this range. Now back to like the previous rounds action with
Hernandez in close the fight is more competitive.
RD. 4 – The durable
Hernandez pins Marks against the ropes again and pounds away. A very close
fight with Marks being a worthy opponent for the NABF crown.
RD. 5 – Ever the
aggressor Hernandez stalks Marks, trying to dance away Marks is slowing down.
The ropes seems to be Marks’ friend, but this does not bode well with the
judges.
RD. 6 – Both men look a
bit tired, but Hernandez is winning the war of attrition. Another round for
Hernandez who is pulling away at this point.
RD. 7 – Marks is busier
this round during the 1st minute. Now holding his hands lower,
Marks is trying lure Hernandez in but to no avail. Marks has no power to speak
of, but wins the round based on more activity.
RD. 8 – At close
quarters in the center of the ring, Hernandez is winning. Marks
continues to score effectively actually stunning Hernandez with a good right.
RD. 9 – A very close
fight that is being waged mostly in the center of the ring. Both are missing a
lot now-- a sure sign of fatigue. However, Hernandez is winning by a razor
thin margin. A punch after the bell sends Hernandez into a frenzy as Ref Saiz
admonishes both fighters.
RD. 10 – A big right by
Hernandez stuns Marks about :30 into the round. Marks responds with a left of
his own to momentarily stop Hernandez. A close round for Hernandez.
RD. 11 – Hernandez is
slowing down but Marks cannot capitalize. Mugging for the camera Ref Saiz
pulls Hernandez away and says, "Fight!" Marks needs a KO to win.
RD. 12 – Hernandez is
hurt big time by a left hook not once but twice. Hernandez survives the
barrage--barely. A very good close fight with Hernandez winning a split
decision win: 116-112, 116-112 Marks, 115-112.
Bout # 2 Sanchez vs.
Alexander
RD. 1 – A tentative and
cautious Sanchez meets Alexander in the center of the ring. Both men fight at
long range, with for now Alexander winning the round. Sanchez looks rusty.
RD. 2 – The taller
Sanchez is having a hard time of it. Sanchez is losing but lands a very hard
right at the bell. Closer fight but Sanchez needs to really turn it on.
Sanchez needs to jab more to create openings.
RD. 3 – Sanchez is
pressuring more and wins the 1st minute. Much better round for
Sanchez. Both men are winded but Sanchez wins this round. Sanchez is not using
his range-finder jab.
RD. 4 – Alexander has
his mouth open and is breathing heavy. Sanchez is now penetrating the guard of
Alexander and he spits his mouthpiece out, much to the chagrin of the partisan
crowd. Sanchez needed to warm up and does better in the last two rounds.
Majority dec. 38-38, 39-37 x2 Sanchez.
Bout # 3 Sanders vs.
Reid
RD. 1- Both fighters
come out cautiously in the 1st minute with neither one taking the
initiative. Reid finally lands a good left and right and wins the round with
his aggressiveness.
RD. 2 – Sanders is
jabbing more and pounds Reid to the body. Reid is trading more with Sanders
and lands the best punches of the fight and down goes Sanders. Ref Martinez
reaches the count of eight and the bell sounds. Reid is steamrolling.
RD. 3 – Reid has power
and shows it, another knockdown from a barrage of punches sends Sanders to the
canvas for the second time. Ref Martinez stops contest at 2:15.
Bout # 4 Odom vs.
Rivera
RD. 1 – Local boy
Rivera, the taller of the two, jabs his way into the defensive minded Odom. So
far so good for Rivera. He wins this round.
RD. 2 – Rivera gets
caught with Odom's left hook that rocks him. Down goes Rivera from a right
cross. Still on shaky legs, he goes down for good from another hard right hand
and the ref waves it off at 2:18.
Bout # 5 Sanchez vs.
Tidwell
RD. 1- Sanchez comes out
storming to the cheers of the crowd and clocks Tidwell with a very hard left
cross that flattens his over matched opponent at :27. A very impressive
performance by the young southpaw.
Bout # 6 Jaramillo vs.
Flores (women)
RD. 1 – Jaramillo looks
angry and stares down the pudgy Flores who slips to the canvas in the 1st
:30. Jaramillo wins the round with her aggressiveness.
RD. 2 – Jaramillo works
to the body and is landing the harder cleaner shots. It’s like a sparring
session for Jaramillo. Flores becomes a punching bag--a big punching bag. Ref
Martinez stops the contest at 1:54.
Photos by Chris Cozzone
Email for more info
For the NABF Super Welter Belt:
Teddy Reid
(20-5-1, 14 KO’s)
TKO 3
Germaine Sanders
(21-2, 15 KO’s)
NABF Jr. Middle Defense:
Angel Hernandez (22-2, 15 KO’s)
Split Dec. 12
Larry Marks (22-6, 13 KO’s)
Adriano Sanchez (11-3-1, 8 KO’s) Maj. Dec.
Lamar Alexander (6-1, 1 KO)
Ray Sanchez III (5-0, 5 KO’s)
KO 1 Tyree Tidwell (0-1)
Calvin Odom (9-3, 5 KO’s)
KO 2 Jose Luis Rivera (1-3)
Stephanie Jaramillo (1-0, 1 KO) TKO 2
Martha Flores (0-6) |
