Dec 2012 07

The Fight for Life boxing Event took place Friday, November 30, 2012 at the Quiet Cannon, Los Angeles, California. It was a great night of boxing featuring some of the best fighters in California and some new fighters you will be hearing about very soon.

Bout 1. LASD, Andy Chen, LASD vs. Miguel Mejia, LAPD 165lbs. Two fighters making their Fight for Life debut made for an exciting match up. Chen and Mejia were well matched and for both fighters stepping into the ring for the first time they displayed good skills. After three exciting rounds, the fight was declared a draw.

Bout 2, Andrew Serrata, LASD vs. Chuck Wampler, LAPD 175lbs. It was clear early Wampler was the stronger fighter.  Serrata would get caught with some solid shots but he would shake them off and return some hard shots of his own. Aside from the Wampler’s power advantage he seemed to be a little more skilled, throwing straighter punches and knowing his range. When the bell sounded to end the fight the crowd was on their feet. Early contender for Fight of the Night.  Wampler, LAPD winner by decision.

Bout 3, Brandon Manning, LASD vs. 4th ranked, Aurelio Vasquez, LAPD 165lbs. When the bell sounded Vasquez came across the ring throwing punches with bad intentions. Vasquez was loading up on his punches which allowed Manning to see them coming and stay out of harms way. Vasquez would listen to his corner, Diaz and Negrete and find his rhythm and get off some nice combinations. In the 3rd round Manning came out throwing punches in bunches, but Vasquez would weather the storm and put Manning back on defense. Manning displayed good footwork and head movement in the fight but the volume of punches and power shots thrown by Vasquez would be the difference in the fight. Vasquez, LAPD winner by decision.

Bout 4, David Chung, LASD vs. Eriverto Montano, LAPD, 150lbs. No feeling out period needed for Montano, he jumped right on Chung. Montano was the aggressor and kept Chung backing up the whole fight.  Chung would land some punches with his back against the ropes but the pressure and fast pace set by Montano never gave Chung a chance to establish an offense. Montano, LAPD winner by decision.

Bout 5, Ernie Ferreras, LASD vs. Ruben Rosas, LAPD 190lbs. Ferreras was matched against a more experienced fighter in Rosas, but that didn’t prevent Ferreras from taking the fight to Rosas. He would land some punches and also receive some.  Rosas is a crafty fighter who knows how to avoid being hit. He slides in and out of range very effectively and has good head movement. He is a real smooth fighter with natural ability. The experience proved to be too much for Ferreras. Rosas, LAPD winner by decision. Rosas may have the most natural talent than everyone on the card however it could be wasted talent. As an amateur he fought Vanes Martirosyan and Andre Ward. Rosas is a young fighter who isn’t sure if he will continue to fight. Wasted talent is the worst thing in sports. Lets all hope Rosas continues to fight.

Bout 6, 8th ranked Roman Mercado, LASD vs. Mike Barragan, LAPD 175lbs. Remember the name Mike Barragan.  A young, tall, talented fighter who does everything well. In the first round Barragan came out throwing laser shots controlling the distance and keeping Mercado at the end of his punches. Mercado knew he had to close the distance and would have his moments landing shots on the inside. Barragan wouldn’t stay on the inside very long or allow Mercado to tie him up. Barragan seems to have it all, a good jab, footwork, speed, throws straight punches, and knows his range.  Barragan only has two fights but he is a gym rat and his experience proved to be too much for Mercado. Barragan, LAPD winner by decision.

Bout 7, Angel Vasquez, LASD vs. Ray Encinas, LAPD 150lbs.  Two well-schooled technical fighters meeting for the third time. When the bell sounded to start the fight Encinas seemed anxious to inflict pain on Vasquez. He jumped right on Vasquez pinning him against the ropes, throwing short hooks and body shots. When Vasquez would find the space he needed to establish his jab Encinas would rush in and make it an inside fight. Vasquez couldn’t seem to time Encinas coming in or tie him up. Team LASD didn’t have an answer to the unexpected game plan put together by Team LAPD. The aggressiveness, pressure and rough tactics by Encinas was the clear difference in the fight.  Encinas winner by decision. This fight will go down as another classic trilogy, next to Jorge Caamal, LASD vs. Ivan Guillermo, LAPD.

Bout 8, 7th ranked, Erik Ramirez, LASD vs. Quincy Mirage, LAPD 165lbs. In the first round Ramirez came out like a sharp shooter putting his punches together nicely. Throwing beautiful counter combinations that landed right on target. Mirage didn’t seem to have an answer to the crisp clean punches thrown by Ramirez. First round was clearly Ramirez. Mirage went back to his corner, listened to his coaches and came out like a different fighter in the second round. Ramirez stood in the center of the ring and waved Mirage in. Mirage is a heavy handed power puncher who you don’t want to challenge. Mirage took full advantage of the invite and threw hard punches to the head of Ramirez.  Ramirez kept his hands up however a few punches would get through. The 2nd round went to Mirage. Mirage came after Ramirez in the 3rd round but it was Ramirez who would find his rhythm and score punches to the body and head and didn’t stick around for Mirage to return the favor. Ramirez did a good job of neutralizing Mirage’s power by using his speed and reach advantage. Mirage would have his moments when Ramirez stood in front of him but it was Ramirez experience, accuracy and combination punching that would be the difference in the fight. Ramirez winner by decision.

Bout 9, Chris Barrios, LASD vs. Alex Perez, LAPD 205lbs. The Main Event featured the #1 ranked Pound for Pound, Super Cruiserweight Phenom Chris “The Bull” Barrios, LASD taking on upset minded Alex Perez, LAPD.  Would Perez be ready for the big stage? How would he deal with the pressure? He has never fought this caliber of fighter. How would he handle it? All those questions were answered. Perez can fight! He wasn’t affected by the crowd, nerves or being the main event. Team LAPD must have had confidence in Perez to thrust him into the Main Event against the #1 ranked fighter. Perez proved he is a warrior, he brought the fight to Barrios and never back down. Perez would be on the losing end of a very competitive fight however fighting three tough rounds with the best fighter in the state has definitely made Perez a top 10 Super Cruiserweight and a threat to everyone in the division. The fight was a hard fought battle, perhaps Barrios toughest fight since defeating Oscar Rodriguez, LASD for the Police Olympic Gold Medal, 2011.  Barrios returned to the ring Friday night after a long lay off but did not show any signs of ring rust. He looked very sharp showing good balance, combination punching and head movement. Barrios is a blue collar type fighter. He isn’t cute with fancy footwork or showboating. He is a work horse who keeps his hands up and comes forward with relentless pressure and power. He is always looking to get off first and controls the pace of the fight. Barrios recorded another win with a solid performance against a tough opponent in Perez. Barrios has never tasted defeat and brings his record to 9-0.  It remains to be seen if there is anyone in the Super Cruiserweight division that can stop him. He seems to be on another level and his level of dominance keeps rising. This nonstop all action Main Event fight would also receive “Fight of the Night” honors.

The super talented UCA Cruiserweight Champion Brian Stevens, LASD was not on the card. The next time Stevens will step into to the ring will be to defend his title in a rematch against #1 ranked, Jamaal Brathwaite, Orange Co. S.D. in April.

The Fight for Life Boxing event is in the books and it was a huge success. A packed house and a lot of money raised for the City of Hope. Huge credit to the event organizers.