Mexico Boxing at its Best

As they say, you can always expect the unexpected when it comes to boxing.
After local promoter Bobby De Philippis of Bobby D Presents was forced to cancel both the Amaris Quintana and Adrian Vargas fights from his May 30th fight card at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Mission Valley, most people figured the latest offering was doomed to being a very ho-hum night for local boxing patrons. That forecast, like the weather forecasts we get for rain in San Diego, never materialized. And to whom do we owe credit?
On Friday night, there were three “I could have given up, but I didn’t” dramatic fights where the visiting underdog would not accept defeat and by doing so, surprised us all.
If you’re a boxing fan, these types of performances alone are worth the price of admission. And to be truthful, doesn’t everyone have an affinity for or inclination to root for the underdog?
The opener, a four round featherweight match, featured fan favorite Christian “Huevo” Bojorquez (11-0, 2 KOs) of Tijuana who weighed in at 125½ pounds to face 19 year-old Fernando Fuentes (3-2, o KOs) of Hemet, CA who weighed 121 pounds, the agreed upon catch weight. In order for the fight to take place, the Fuentes camp had to sign off on this appreciable weight difference. Bojorquez, a pro for five years, should have known better. He hasn’t fought at 121 pounds since November 17, 2011.
As Amateurs, both Bojorquez in Mexico and Fuentes in Southern California, were considered finesse boxers who were masterful at beating all comers. Bojorquez was both a Baja California State Champion as well as Mexican National Champion before turning pro in 2010.
Fuentes and his Real Deal Boxing Club of Hemet, CA often ventured south to San Diego to compete in our local LBC 44 USA Amateur shows. Each time they did, you knew that Fuentes and his mates would end up taking home the majority of the trophies.
With Bojorquez training locally at the Undisputed Gym in San Diego, less than six miles from the Crowne Plaza, and the Fuentes’ family and friends living 90+ miles away, there was no doubt which way the crowd would lean.
In the first round which featured many heated exchanges, Fuentes added a late flurry to steal the round.
Then, late in round two, Bojorquez got caught with a short left hook that opened a cut over his right eye. After the blood started to trickle down, Fuentes became even more confident. All the while the partisan crowd shouted at the top of their lungs for their hero, “Huevo, Huevo, Huevo!!!”
Sapped of his strength and taking far too many blows to the head, you could see Bojorquez had very little fight left. Meanwhile, Fuentes sensed that he was the stronger of the two and went to pour it on. Needing a breather, Bojorquez then resorted to covering up, pushing Fuentes’ head down and holding. The holding became so blatant that some fight fans started calling out for a point deduction.
In the end, judges Jose Cobian and Tom Taylor gave Fuentes every round with 40-36 scores, while judge Tony Crebs gave Bojorquez one round and scored it 39-37 Fuentes.
Bout #2 featured Guillermo Castillo (1-0) of San Diego (160 lbs.) going up against Brahmabigi “Rowdy” Montgomery (158 lbs.) of Los Angeles, CA in his Pro-debut.
At the outset, the 6’1” Rowdy, with his height and reach advantage just circled about the ring daring Castillo to make the first move. After he and Castillo exchanged a few punches, Rowdy’s confidence grew and he started zeroing in with his head snapping jabs.
Each time Castillo got off one of his wayward punches, Rowdy came right back to pepper him with two and three punch combinations. As his confidence grew, so did the punish he inflicted on Castillo.
By the end of round two, it was clear Rowdy had superior hand speed, better footwork and overall power behind each of his well leverage punches.
Late in round #3, after getting hit by four unanswered blows to the head, Castillo still had the presence of mind to grab Rowdy in a bear hug so he could finish the round.
In between rounds, Castillo’s corner must have advised him to go for the knockout because he came out swinging. It was all for naught as Rowdy was able to avoid the wild swings. All three judges saw it the same, 40-36 for Rowdy.
Bout #3 featured another local favorite, super middleweight, Ulises Sierra (6-0-1, 4 KOs) from the Undisputed Gym, Downtown, taking on Cromwell Gordon (4-9-0, 4 KOs), a muscle bound Las Vegas gym owner who’s family emigrated to the U. S when he was just 10.
In round one, the affable Mr. Gordon landed three heavy shots which certainly got Sierra’s attention. Sierra in turn got Gordon’s attention with his slick punches that came from every angle to include five wrap around attempts that came from behind his back.
While Judge Tom Taylor gave every round to Sierra, 40-36 judges Pat Russell and Tony Crebs had it 39-37 Sierra. It’s likely they had Gordon ahead in the final round.
Has the controversial “Draw” been settled?
In the final bout of the evening, the show’s Main Event, they had a six round featherweight contest between Smokin’ Joe Perez (4-0-1, 3 KOs) from The Boxing Club in La Jolla, CA and Victor Raul “Zurdo” Capaceta (3-6-3, 2 KOs) from Tijuana, B. C. This was the promised rematch of their controversial November 21, 2013 Draw, a fight which both sides were clamoring for.
Since their last bout, Perez had been inactive while his counterpart, Capaceta, remained busy and fought twice more, against high caliber opponents who had a combined record of 19-1-0, with 9 KOs. Even though he lost both fights, he learned a lot.
Friday's round by round scoring
In Friday evening’s contest, the busier Capaceta likely took round one after finishing the round by clocking Perez with five straight unanswered blows. 10-9 Capaceta
With round two being almost too close to call, we give the edge to Perez who finished the round strong. 10-9 Perez
There is no doubt Perez landed the majority of the punches in Round #3. 10-9 Perez
Then, in the pivotal round #4, with Perez seemingly pulling away, he gets caught flush with this right cross that sends him flying backwards to have a seat on the canvas. What a turn around - that one punch turned a 10-9 round for Perez into a 10-8 round for Capaceta.
In the following rounds, Perez took round #5 (10-9 Perez) while Capaceta came on strong to take round #6. 10-9 Capaceta.
The totals have Capaceta winning the bout 57-56. If and here’s the big if, if Perez had not been caught by that one punch which caused the flash knockdown in round #4, and we juxtapose the scoring, then we end up with Perez winning this close match 58-56.
Now the official scoring: Judge Tony Crebs scored the bout in Perez’s favor 57-56 while judge Tom Taylor had Capaceta winning 58-55 and judge Pat Russell had Capaceta winning 57-56.
This nail-biter couldn’t have been any closer. Will there be a trilogy?