By Ron Valderrama: Professional boxing returned to Phoenix as Iron Boy Promotions made its debut at the Celebrity Theater in Phoenix last Friday night. Special guest included Jorge "El Maromero" Paez and Roger Mayweather who were both presented framed boxing trunks in their honor and presented by Iron Boy Promotions to honor their great careers.
The show, titled " Night of Legends" had a lineup of Valley favorites including Juan Garcia taking on Juan Suazo in the main event and Alexis "Beaver" Santiago(10-1-1) who battled Evaristo Primero in the co- main event.
Juan Garcia battled Juan Suazo (Lighweights) for the full eight rounds as both fighters went toe-to-toe in a great display of boxing skills in the main event. Juan Garcia went into the fight with a record of 15-3, 5 KO’S and had to use all his veteran skills against the stubborn Juan Suazo. Suazo, with a record of 8-5, 5 KO’s going into Friday nights action did not back down from the combination of punches thrown by the crafty Garcia which began at the start of the opening bell. Suazo answered back with his own combination of punches, It was a great display of two fighters using their offensive and defensive skills. Garcia would come away with the win as two of the judges scored the bout 77-75 and a win by majority decision.
The co-main event featured Bantamweights, Alexis "Beaver" Santiago taking on veteran fighter Evaristo Primero in an eight round bout. This fight had action written all over it as Primero and Santiago would butt heads leaving Primero with a gash on his forehead and right eye.
Sensing desperation, Primero stepped up his game and went strait at Santiago with some solid shots. In round two, Primero came out strong with a killer right hook but settled down and the two continued to exchange some combinations before Primero delivered a low blow to Santiago stopping the fight for a few minutes. Santiago, who is trained by Roger Mayweather appeared much stronger than in the past and has definitely improved his ring skills. By the fifth round the fight was still pretty much even when Primero was warned by referee Nico Perez for an elbow shot. The fight continued still pretty much even but it was evident that Santiago was not the same after the low blow. In the final round Santiago used some impressive combination head/body shots, but Primero did not shy away and continued to move forward on Santiago. Primero shot off some combinations of his own at the end of the final round which appeared to be the difference in the fight. Primero handed Santiago his second loss, the judges score the bout 77-75; 76-76; 75-77 in favor of Primero. Santiago has nothing to be ashamed of in this fight, he was up against a true veteran fighter. He is still on my list of top ten fighters to watch.
Undercard:
Another Valley favorite and Light Welterweight, Abel Ramos (1-0) won his bout against Cody Huard who was making his debut as a professional fighter. Ramos looked like a veteran fighter as he came out with a combination of head and body shots that would prove to be way to much for Huard to endure. Huard would be caught with a hard right that would send him to the canvas and giving Ramos the knockout win in the first round.
Super Featherweight, Chris Lopez (1-10, 1 KO) defeated Miguel Armendarez (0-6-1) by way of knockout in round one of the scheduled four round bout. Super Middleweight, Lanell Bellows won his pro debut bout by defeating Armando Gonzalez, who also was making his pro debut by TKO in round one of a scheduled four round bout.
Super Featherweight, Cesar Valenzuela (1-0-1) defeated Rogelio Valenzuela (0-6) in his four round bout by unanimous decision.
Light Welterweight, Tomas Valdez made his pro debut by defeating Imarjoe Miller (1-0) by was of knockout in the second round.
The show was a total success as evident by the sold out crowd of boxing fans. Many of the fans were on hand to see Super Bantamweight, Emilo "Milo Time" Garcia (4-0-1, 1 KO) fight but were disappointed to find out his opponent, Brando Sanchez had to drop out of the fight due to a medical condition. Props to Iron Boy Promotions for presenting a top notch show, Arizona is truly blessed with a number of promoters. Iron Boy Promotions announced the next show will be April 21st at the Celebrity Theater in Phoenix.
Arizona News:
Showdown Promotions in association with Top Rank, Inc. will host "Fight Power" at Tucson’s Casino Del Sol Resort and Spa. The show will be televised worldwide on Showtime Channel’s ShoBox: "The Next Generation" on March 23rd. The main event will feature Super Featherweight and undefeated, Diego Magdaleno (21-0, 7 KO’s)
doing battle with Miguel "Barreterito" Beltran, Jr. (26-1, 17 KO’s) for the NABF Super Featherweight Championship. The card will also feature undefeated and up and coming Light Welterweight star, Hanzel "El Tornadito" Martinez, the brother-in-law of Antonio Margarito.Gerry Truax, Director of Boxing for Showdown Promotions will announce the rest of the card soon.
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Michelle Rosado and Face II Face Events, in association with Sonoran Capital Group, Inc. will host "Noche De Boxeo" at the Desert Diamond Casino-Diamond Center in Tucson on May 4th. Noche De Boxeo will kick off the Cinco De Mayo weekend celebration by exposing many of Tucson’s boxing talent. Rosado, credited with resurrecting Arizona’s boxing scene says she has been busy working on the card for the gala event. What we know so far is that Super Bantamweight, Emilio "Milo Time" Garcia will be on the card. Garcia, a big time fan favorite says he can’t wait to climb in the ring for this card. Bantamweight, Jesus Estrella Ruiz (27-4-4, 20 KO’s) will be on the care, the Nogales native is a scrapper from start to finish and is sure to put on a show for this event. Rosado also said she has a female bout which will showcase Tucson native and Super Bantamweight, Annette Agredano (5-0-1) who is sure to be a crowd pleaser having fought twice before at Desert Diamond Casino. Also, in attendance will be the
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Arizona’s Jesus "El Martillo" Gonzales lost his bout against Adonis "Super Man" Stevenson Saturday night at Montreal’s Bell Centre. Gonzales, was knocked out by a strait left hand that sent him to the canvas at 1:39 of the first round. Gonzaleswas kept overnight at a Montreal hospital as a precaution. Hard to say what is in his future, but I am willing to bet it will be boxing.
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February 21, 2012
Photo-Victoria Barrett
