Battle of the Badges Returns to Hanford

Central CA BOTB results written by the #1 ranked Super Middleweight Aurelio Vasquez, LAPD

The UCA Central California Battle of the Badges returned to the Hanford Civic Auditorium on Saturday April 11, 2015 with 11 epic fights that produced a great night of Public Safety boxing entertainment. The sold out audience was treated to an explosive night of boxing featuring top flight fighters from California, Louisiana and Kansas. 5 UCA Championship titles were up for grabs along with new fighters looking to get their names in Championship title shot conversations.

The show started off with a bang between two fighters who were anxious to get at each other. Brent Farris – Butte County Probation vs Arturo Cervantes – Palafox Gym. There was no feel-out period needed when the opening bell sounded. These two fighters came out swinging right out of the gate. After a few good exchanges, these two boxers would then settle into their respective game plans. Farris came forward behind a stiff jab and threw hard 1, 2 combinations. Cervantes showed good footwork and danced his way out of danger, jabbing and countering Farris with an overhand right as he came into range. Cervantes would then catch Farris flush with a straight right hand that would send him down to the canvas. Farris got up quickly and took the referee’s count up to 9. He shook off the knockdown and went back to work. The 1st round would then end with both combatants caught in a tangle after a furious flurry from both fighters. In the 2nd round it would be Cervantes who would press the action forward and went after Farris. He applied intelligent pressure, working his way in behind the jab. He worked Farris’ body, then caught him with two big overhand rights that would swell up his left eye and further bloody his nose. A standing 8-count would then be given to Farris. The ringside doctor would also be called in to examine the fighter. After a few words by the Doc, the ref, & team Farris, all parties came to an agreement; let the insistent & courageous Farris continue. With a brave warrior’s heart, the very tough Farris fought on and would finish the fight by landing some big right hand punches of his own. After the last bell, both fighters showed great sportsmanship & embraced one another. What a fight! What a way to open up this night’s event!  Cervantes winner by decision.

AJ Forestiere – Madera PD vs John Henderson – Hanford PD. Boxer vs Brawler making their Battle of the Badges debut. Henderson wasted no time and came out throwing wild and violent left, right hook combinations, catching Forestiere with very heavy leather. Forestiere would try to keep his distance, but had to fight hard to keep Henderson off of him. They would exchange some combinations in the center of the ring. But Forestiere had to box from the outside to stay away from Henderson’s relentless attack and clear advantage in power. Forestiere established his jab and right hand, but kept his left hand low. Henderson then closed the distance and caught Forestiere with a booming right hand that knocked him down to the ground. AJ was down but he was not out. He got up, dusted himself off, and finished the round. As the fight wore on, Henderson kept coming after Forestiere, throwing hard punches in bunches. He would maul Forestiere against the ropes and hit him with really strong shots upstairs and downstairs, imposing his tremendous will on him. Forestiere would find his distance back, and work his jab and right hand, but Henderson would walk right through them. Forestiere would then run out of room and be forced to fight Henderson in very close quarters. They fought toe to toe in the center of the ring, then Henderson caught Forestiere with another vicious head shot that sent him down to the canvas for the second time in the fight. But just as he did before, Forestiere got up again and fought back with everything he had until the fight ended. Wow! What a great fight! What a display of heart and will by both warriors! This turned out to be “The UCA Fight of The Night”, and deservedly so. Henderson winner by Decision.

Bout 4 Dania Lopez – Thrive Training Center vs Marlena Garcia – Tribal Public Safety. Lopez started the fight at a really fast pace. She was the shorter of the two fighters, but was able to get past Garcia’s longer reach by jabbing her way inside and following up with quick combinations. Garcia pawed out a probing jab and seemed to be trying to time Lopez with a power shot on her way in. But Lopez used effective footwork to get in and out of Garcia’s range. Lopez was the busier fighter of the two, landing accurate and well-timed 1, 2’s. She closed the distance well and was able to reach her taller opponent with regularity. She finished the 1st round with a flurry. Marlena abandoned the jab and came out brawling in the 2nd. Dania would then flash some fancy footwork and avoided most of Marlena’s power punches. But Lopez seemed intent on putting on a good show. She met Garcia halfway and mixed it up with her in the middle of the ring for a bit. Still not using her jab, Marlena opted to throw lead rights instead. Dania avoided those lead right hands and landed her counter left hooks. She closed in on Marlena and closed out the round with a 1, 2, 3 combo. At the start of the last round Garcia finally found her range. She was able to land her longer jab and right hands, and kept Lopez at the end of her punches. Lopez’ legs seemed to slow down a bit, but Dania was more than willing to stay in the pocket and trade with Marlena. While on the inside, both fighters would throw and land their fair share of hooks and uppercuts. The crowd would then “oooh” in excitement after some solid right hands found their mark for each lady. A loud applause from the crowd was heard at the time the fight ended. These two women kept the night’s action going and put on a great show! Lopez winner by decision.

Bout 7 featured a matchup between a fighter from California and a fighter from Kansas. Zach Farris -CHP made his Battle of the Badges debut against Steven Lee – Sedgwick SD. Farris flew out of the corner as soon as the bell rang and stormed right after the southpaw from Kansas, Steven Lee. There was no feel-out period for Farris. He threw and landed some stinging right hands that seemed to stun Lee. Fighting in the lefty stance, Lee used lateral movement to avoid some of Farris’ ferocious attack. He had some success timing Farris with a counter straight left and counter right hook as he charged his way in. But Farris would not be discouraged. He continued to make his way forward, throwing punches upstairs and chopping away at Lee’s body. But Lee would fight back and tried to slow Farris down. Farris kept up a fast pace and continued to maul Lee in an all-out brawl. He would land lots of leather. But Lee kept fighting back. He ripped Farris’ head and body with right and lefts. But Farris kept pushing forward. Neither warrior would back down. They fought in a phone booth for the last 10 seconds of the fight. They both showed tremendous courage & heart. Another close and amazing fight! Farris winner by decision.