Two UCA Ring Kings Are Crowned

Two UCA State Champions were crowned Friday night at the Battle of the Badges in Montebello CA. The first title fight of the night featured #1 ranked Travon Taylor, Orange County Sheriff’s Dept. vs. Joshua Mejia, (8-1) Los Angeles Sheriff’s Dept. for the UCA Light Heavyweight State Championship. When the bell sounded Taylor and Mejia showed each other a lot of well-deserved respect.  They moved around the ring studying each other while displaying good footwork and technical skills. The fight heated up in the 2^nd and 3^rd rounds with Mejia pressing the action and landing some solid shots.  Taylor made the necessary adjustments to stay out of danger and put on a superb display of intelligent boxing. This was a high skill level fight between two of the best fighters in the division.  In the end it was Taylor’s superior boxing skills and punch output that made the difference. When the score cards were added up and the fighters were called to the center of the ring, the decision was announced. And the new…UCA Light Heavyweight Champion Travon Taylor, Orange County Sheriff’s Dept.

The Main event of the night featured an unknown, undefeated fighter; name Enrique Frias, San Diego Probation who looked to shock the public safety boxing world by defeating the undefeated #1 ranked Alan Rojas, Los Angeles Sheriff’s Dept. When the bell sounded Rojas and Frias were ready to mix it up. This was an all action technical slugfest. Both fighters showed heart and a tremendous chin. Throughout the fight both fighters continued to impose their will and skill on one another. They were landing some heavy blows but neither fighter would back down.  Rojas and Frias were firing off shots until the final bell sounded. This was a championship level performance by two true warriors. But there could only be one winner. Fighting out of the red corner, and the new….UCA Super Cruiserweight Champion Alan Rojas, Los Angeles Sheriff’s Dept.

These two title fights have rematch written all over them and possibly the makings of a Gatti vs Ward type of trilogy. Mejia was Taylor’s toughest challenge at 175lbs and Rojas admitted to Frias he was his toughest opponent.

The undercard started off with a pair of middleweights, 6^th ranked David Chung, LASD vs Brian Hoist, LASD. Hoist, was making his ring debut against veteran fighter Chung, who holds a record of (3-2). Hoist wasn’t affected by Chung’s experience, the crowd or the lights. Hoist was ready to fight and when the bell rang he pursued and pressured Chung for 3 rounds. Hoist pitched a near shutout in his battle of the badges debut, defeating Chung, by majority decision. Hoist is a young athletic fighter and someone to keep an eye on.

Bout 2 featured 3^rd ranked Remin Pineda, LASD vs 9^th ranked Brian Petrella, Pasadena Police Dept. Petrella was looking to rebound from a 3 round decision loss to 5th ranked Jesse Zaranaga, LASD. This was a close fight between two evenly matched fighters but in the end Petrella would come up short losing by decision. Pineda sealed the win by having the higher punch connect percentage and being the busier fighter.  Pineda continues to improve and picks up his 2^nd win in a row.

The crowd was treated to a great battle between two warriors when 10^th ranked Hector Mendoza, LAPD and newcomer Che Parker, LASD stepped into the ring. No feeling out needed for this one. These fighters had one job to do, and that was fight! When the bell rang Parker came right after Mendoza not giving him an inch to breathe.  Mendoza used his experience to find openings to land beautiful body shots and combinations. Mendoza was the more polished fighter due to his experience but Parker would hold his own and land some solid shots. Mendoza and Parker traded blow for blow and after 3 hard fought rounds Mendoza would be announced the winner. These fighters laid it all on the line and were rewarded with “Fight of the Night” honors.

Bout 4 featured the much anticipated rematch between Gerardo Pachuca, LASD and Jake Ching, LA Co. FD. These fighters know each other well so no introduction was needed. When the bell rang Pachuca and Ching went to work throwing punches in bunches. When Pachuca got hit he came right back and hit Ching even harder. This went on for three rounds. Pachuca and Ching were made for each other. Whenever these guys get in the ring the fans are guaranteed an all action fight. When the final bell sounded the crowd was on their feet cheering for both fighters. Pachuca and Ching displayed great sportsmanship, heart, strength, skill, and character. When the score cards were added up Ching would once again be announced the winner.

The only female bout of the night featured first timer Kendra Hendricks, LASD taking on the highly favored 5^th ranked Isabel Sandoval, LASD. Hendricks is the female version of 2nd ranked Brandon Manning, LASD. Hendricks has the same aggressive, attacking, brawling style as Manning.  She charges forward and smothers her opponents with a barrage of punches.  Hendricks was clearly the stronger fighter and imposed her strength and will on Sandoval to grind out a decision win.  Hendricks would pick up her first win and start her climb to the top of the division.

The Battle of the Badges is in the books. Add another great night of boxing to the long running fight night series at the Quiet Cannon. The fighters did their part putting on an awesome display of talent and heart for the many fans in attendance. Congratulations to the new UCA Light Heavyweight State Champion Travon Taylor, Orange County Sheriff’s Dept.  and the new UCA Super Cruiserweight State Champion Alan Rojas, LASD. Hector Mendoza, LAPD and Che Parker, LASD received “Fight of the Night” honors. Public Safety boxing continues to grow with talent and continues to give the fans the fights they want to see.