Outclassed!
Marquez continues domination of super featherweight division with win over Juarez; Guerrero shocks Honorio with :56 kayo!

Ringside by Chad Barcus and Oscar Parades
Photos by Chris Cozzone
- FightWireImages.com

Showtime’s first-ever collaboration with Golden Boy Promotions is officially in the books.  The Desert Diamond Casino and the city of Tucson, Arizona was the site for this historic event and over 2,400 great fight fans materialized for the privilege of watching some of the best talent the sport of boxing has to offer.  This was the most highly anticipated fight ever in the Old Pueblo and it did not disappoint.

In the featured event of the evening, Rocky Juarez (27-4, 19 KOs) squared off against Juan Manuel Marquez (48-3-1, 35 KOs) for Marquez’s WBC super featherweight belt.  This was Juarez’s fourth title shot in a little over two years.  Unfortunately, he will have to wait until, at least, his fifth challenge to the title in order to become champion because, on this night, he was overmatched.

Marquez’s faster hand speed was evident from the beginning of the fight and this carried him through the fight.  The crowd was decidedly in favor of Marquez, but there were still many Juarez fans in attendance and each faction let their voice be heard throughout the fight.  Chants of “Marquez! Marquez! Marquez!” would suddenly erupt, which would then be combated with chants of “Rocky! Rocky! Rocky!” 

The fight began with both fighters measuring the other in the center of the ring.  However, shortly into the first frame, the fighters’ heads came together and Juarez was left with a wicked cut over his left eye.  This gash would threaten the fight and continued to flow openly for the remainder of the contest. 

Rounds two and three saw Marquez picking his opponent apart.  Marquez kept his opponent at the end of his punches and was able to put together effective two- and three-punch combinations.  Juarez, on the other hand was stalking Marquez and looking for an opening, which he was rarely able to find.  Juarez was unable to let his hands go as Marquez’s superior hand speed controlled the fight. 

The bell rang early to end the fourth round, which officially made it a two-minute round.  Juarez attempted to pick up the pace and apply more pressure to his adversary in this round, but it was not effective in turning the tide of the fight. 

The fifth and sixth rounds were also controlled by Marquez.  However, Juarez was still trying valiantly to turn the fight in his favor, using his pressure.  Juarez was able to trap Marquez on the ropes and his punches were getting through at a better rate, but Marquez seemed to do just enough to win the rounds with clean effective punches and crisp combinations.  The blood had also begun to seep into Juarez’s eye at this point, and his vision was impaired for the duration of the fight. 

The next two frames witnessed more of the same.  However, Marquez began to land his uppercuts to the head of Juarez from the outside, as well as the inside.  Steadily beaten round by round and a bloody mess, Juarez’s will was never taken from him, and his heart continued to shine through. 

In round nine, Juarez had his best round.  Juarez began to land his well-admired body punches to Marquez’s midsection.  Juarez was also able to connect with combinations for the first time in this frame.  The challenger’s stalking pressure appeared to be wearing down Marquez to a degree and his punch count dropped.  For the first time in the fight, Marquez actually appeared to be confused as to how to attack his opponent. 

The remainder of the bout was fought in a familiar fashion.  Juarez continued to press ineffectively and Marquez continued to control the fight with his superior hand speed, good movement, crisp punches, and effective combinations. 

During the championship rounds, it was obvious to Juarez that he needed a knockout to win the fight.  However, for whatever reason, he was unable to mount any type of an attack against Marquez.  In fact, it was Marquez who ended the fight with a flurry that looked like it might force Juarez to take a knee. 

However, the bell rang, both fighters embraced, the crowd voiced its satisfaction, and the judges turned in their scorecards.  Robin Dolpierre scored the fight 118-110, Burt Clements saw the fight 117-111, and Chris Wilson judged the contest at 120-108, awarding Marquez the unanimous decision. --CB

Guerrero destroys Honorio in :56

In a very promising co-main event, Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero (21-1-1, 14  KOs) disposed and dispatched opponent Martin “El Brochas” Honorio 24-4-1 (12 KOs) in less then a minute to successfully defend his IBF featherweight title.

Honorio was coming off a big win over 126-title holder Steve Luevano, handing him his only defeat back in 2005. Guerrero, obviously not impressed by this, annihilated Honorio with the first significant punch he landed.

Both fighters came out circling each other looking for an opening. Honorio launched a jab and “The Ghost” countered perfectly with a straight left catching “El Brochas” on the point of the chin, violently sending him to the canvas. Honorio got up at the count of eight, but after stumbling across the ring, showed he was in no shape to continue. Referee Tony Weeks called a halt to the action at :56.

“I knew he had a weak chin” said Guerrero. “I worked on my left during training camp and when I saw him go down, I was not at all surprised that the referee stopped the bout. When I saw him launch in, I timed him perfectly with the left. He walked right in to it.

“My wife, having just being diagnosed with leukemia, gave me the extra motivation I needed. When we found out about her condition last week, this fight was the last thing on my mind, but she gave me the strength and told me, ‘Go out there and do your job,’ and I did. Thank God, I’m still champion. –OP

UNDERCARD
Martinez wins split decision

In the final undercard bout, Gabriel “El Rey” Martinez (16-0-1  8 KOs) battled Juan Montes De Oca (9-13-2  6 KOs) in a six-round super welterweight fight.  The first round began, as many do, with both fighters trying to feel each other out and being conscious to stay out of the range of the other fighter. 

The next round witnessed Martinez beginning to take control of the fight.  However, toward the end of the round, Martinez delivered a low blow to his opponent as Montes De Oca was pulling his head down.  Montes De Oca dropped to his knees and, incredibly, referee Nico Perez deducted a point from Martinez for his misstep.  The punch was obviously an accidental low blow and Martinez had never been given a warning in the fight, but, for some reason, Perez felt it necessary to take a point away, to which the crowd voiced its displeasure.    

In the following frame, Martinez landed a crushing left hook to the body of his rival and Montes De Oca almost collapsed to the canvas.  He looked to the referee as if to ask for another point deduction, but the referee did not acknowledge the punch as a low blow, due to the fact that it was a clean blow.  Unfortunately, Martinez was cautious because of the loss of the point in the first round and he was unable to follow up on this punch.  

In round number four, the fight became a bit sloppy, with both fighters lunging and missing punches.  Martinez did begin to control the fight from here on out, though.  At times, he would press the action effectively and, at other, times he would let Montes De Oca come toward him, then fight off the ropes where he was equally as effective. 

Martinez kept the fight at a distance in round five, using his jabs to the body and head and throwing one-two combinations.  Montes De Oca also ceased pressing his opponent in this frame. 

The final round involved Martinez moving around the ring fluidly, controlling his opponent and the round.  In the middle of the frame, Montes De Oca was warned for a low blow, to which he pleaded his innocence.  Moments later, Martinez found himself in the dubious position of having his head stuck between the upper and middle ropes, sticking outside of the ring.  Montes De Oca decided to fight dirty and landed a punch to Martinez’s cranium as he was tied up  The crowd vocalized their distaste for this action.  Perez stepped in and separated the fighters and, unbelievably, no warning was administered to Montes De Oca. 

Regardless, the bout went to the judges’ scorecards and Martinez received a split decision victory.  Craig Harmon scored the bout 58-55 for Montes De Oca, Derek Zazueta scored the fight 58-56 for Martinez, and Chris Wilson tallied the fight 59-54 for Martinez. –CB

Duarte stops Smith

In cruiserweight undercard action, Carlos Duarte, 8-0 (6 KOs), periodically dismantled Terrence Smith, 4-5-1 (3 KOs), until Smith’s corner showed compassion and put an end to the mismatch.

In his last bout, Duarte had beaten Smith by unanimous decision, in what was a much more competitive fight. This time around, Duarte was in complete control throughout the duration of the bout, landing snapping combinations and punishing Smith to the head and body.

Smith offered very little resistance until his corner saved him from further punishment at the one-minute mark of the third round. –OP

Kid Bacon sizzles with KO win!

Abdias Castillo (10-22-1  7 KO’s) was demolished by Joshua “Kid Bacon” Renteria (15-2  9 KO’s) in a scheduled four-round super welterweight fight of the night.  Renteria had not fought in the square circle in eight years.  Unfortunately for Castillo, apparently nobody notified Renteria of this fact.

It wasn’t long into the first frame before Renteria dug a left and a right hook to the body of Castillo.  He followed these shots with a few punches to Castillo’s dome, which sent him leaning away from Renteria, with his glove touching the canvas.  Renteria took this opportunity to connect with a right cross to Castillo’s head, which sent him down for the count. 

Castillo made it to his feet and was able to continue.  However, it wasn’t long before another overhand right dropped Castillo to a knee.  He took the count and, again, he was able to continue, although now with a swollen and closing left eye. 

Spent from attempting the knockout in the previous round, Renteria decided to put his back on the ropes and employ the crab defense.  This style was effective in limiting Castillo’s clean punches and Renteria was still able to pick his shots off the ropes.  It wasn’t long before Renteria connected with a left hook to the head, spun Castillo into the ropes, and delivered another left hook to the body that sent Castillo to the canvas for the third time.  Once again, however, Castillo was able to continue. 

However, his battle would end in the third round.  Renteria unloaded a hybrid cross-hook—a crook if you will—to Castillo’s head.  This punch stood him up and, mercifully, Referee Wes Melton stepped in and called a halt to the action.  Renteria was awarded the TKO 1:07 into round number three. –CB

Selig earns decision

In the opening bout, Agua Prieta, Mexico’s Jesus “El Chino” Selig, 5-0-1 (3 KOs), had a tougher-than-expected time turning back the challenge of Daniel Gonzalez, 7-11-2 (2 KOs), of Billings, Mont.

Selig controlled the first salvo by landing the heavier blows. With Gonzalez bleeding from his nose and mouth, Selig unloaded at will, giving the impression that it would be a short night.

Selig continued to show his dominance in the second, landing beautiful combinations to the body, and digging to the rib cage with damaging results. In the third, Selig landed a thunderous right hand, sending Gonzalez to the ropes. When Selig tried to go for the finish and landed a borderline body shot, referee Wes Melton called it a low blow and separated the fighters, warning Selig, thus allowing Gonzalez to recuperate. Gonzalez came back with a jolting right to the chin of Selig, then dominated the rest of the round, punishing Selig with overhand rights and lefts.

To begin the fourth, Selig landed another borderline blow. This time, the ref deducted a point. The upset-minded Gonzalez continued to batter a fading Chino with a left right-combination, but Selig connected a thudding left hook to the body, forcing Gonzalez to slow down his attack. Both fighters were still trading at the bell.

Ultimately, Selig’s early work was enough to earn him the victory by scores 39-37 and 38-37 twice. –OP

Bonus Pic