Photo Courtesy SRMMA.com

Julie “J-Cat” Williams, CDCR San Quentin, the undefeated UCA #1 ranked female fighter in California took on newcomer Woienski, CDCR DVI at the Sacramento Battle of the Badges Event, March 31st. Even though it was Woienski first time in the ring Williams did not take her lightly. With 14 days notice Woienski was ready for battle. Williams was cautious with the new comer the 1^st rd. Maybe a little too cautious because Woienski landed some hard shots to Williams head. Williams took control the 2^nd rd. while Woienski won over the crowd with her toughness and heart. The 3^rd round both ladies were landing some very hard shots but Williams experience prevailed.  Woienski never quit and finished the fight on her feet and had the fans on their feet as well. It took the judges awhile to gather up the scores. When the decision was finally announced Williams was the winner by split decision. Both ladies won in their own way. Woienski stepped into the ring for the first time against the best female fighter in the state and went the distance. Williams picked up another win and solidified her #1 ranking and became the Nor Cal UCA Champion.

There is nothing in sports that rivals the excitement of two big men throwing bombs at each other. Boxing’s big bangers took center stage when UCA #3 ranked Mike Gomez; CDCR took on UCA #4 ranked Richmond De Los Cientos, Sac Co. S.D for the UCA NorCal Super Heavyweight Title. This fight alone was worth the $20.00 price of admission into the Sacramento Battle of the Badges Event. Gomez is widely recognized as one of the hardest working guys in the gym when preparing for a fight. On Saturday night Gomez and De Los Cientos collided in the boxing ring to seize a priceless chance to determine who the top fighter in Northern California really is. De Los Cientos weighed in at 289lbs while Gomez weighed in at 252 and the weight and size difference showed. The first 2 rounds were very close. One round a piece going into the 3^rd and final round. Early in the 3^rd round Gomez was warned for hitting De Los Cientos behind the head. The referee gave Gomez a warning for the illegal blow. Before the action continued both fighters touched gloves and went back at it. Richmond showed signs of slowing down and Gomez smelled blood. Gomez put De Los Cientos down with a hard jab and the referee stepped in and ended the fight. Gomez won the UCA NorCal Title by 3^rd TKO. With his win over De Los Cientos Gomez slides into the #2 spot in the Super Heavyweight Division. ‘People are telling me I need to fight for the Title”, Gomez said. “I know I’m not ready for Saul Ayon. (Kern Co S.D.) I need at least 5 more fights before I’m ready for him. I hope Ayon is still around.” Gomez knows he is still raw and has a lot to learn however a fight with Rahsaan Harrison, LASD or even Casey Johnson Oakland P.D. would be good match-ups to help prepare him for a UCA State Title fight.

Photo’s Courtesy Michael Gill and SRMMA.com

The LAPD continues to show Juan Bustamante support. On Wednesday the LAPD presented Juan with a framed signed event poster to show their support and appreciation for representing their department in the UCA title fight at the Sacramento Battle of the Badges event. Juan may have not won the fight but he can hold his head high knowing he has the support of his department, family and friends. He will always be a part of UCA history and welcome at any future Sacramento Battle of the Badges events as a guest or fighter. It was a pleasure going through this experience with Juan “Bad Blood” Bustamante.

A fight broke out between Lindsay “Bull” Dozier and Christy “Killer” Kim Saturday night at the Sacramento Battle of the Badges. Both ladies left everything in the ring for a chance to walk out with the UCA NorCal Featherweight Title. Christy Kim (U.S. Air Force) in her first amateur boxing match came out hard. Kim nearly lived up to her name, “Killer” in the 1^st round as she pressured and threw punches for destruction. Dozier, Fresno P.D., used her 1-1 fight experience and the instructions from her corner to stay out of harms way. Once the round was over Dozier’s coach Bryan Williams was waiting to give his fighter the instructions she needed. “Kim is just throwing the 1, 2. Keep your feet moving, work your jab. When she gets your timing down I want you to start throwing lead left hands.” The sign of a great fighter is being able to listen to your coach and execute the instructions given. Dozier avoided Kim’s bombs by using her footwork and throwing different combinations. The fight was very close after the 2^nd round. Dozier went back to her corner and her coach was waiting to give her instructions. “I need you to go in at an angle, not straight in,” Williams said. The 3^rd round picked up where the 2^nd round left off. Back and fourth neither fighter giving any ground. What a fight! Lindsay Dozier was announced the winner by unanimous decision and UCA NorCal Featherweight Champion.

“I’m still humble,” Dozier told SRMMA. “I got into boxing to get into shape and I fell in love with the sport. Now I’m the UCA NorCal Champion, which definitely gives me more credibility moving forward.”

Even though Kim did not win, she is an athlete with a bright future. She is definitely a part of the new wave of young, hungry, talented boxers to look out for.

Sacramento Battle of the Badges March 31, 2012 Under-Card Results

After the 1^st round Brent Bugarin, Santa Clara S.D. vs. Marc Baes, CDCR had the makings of a great fight. To start the 2^nd round both guys displayed good footwork as they looked for their opening. Bugarin saw his opening first and landed his combination which caused the referee to step in and stop the fight. “This kid (Bugarin) is good,” Baes said. “This is the type of fight I wanted. I don’t agree with the stoppage, I felt the fight was just warming up.” Bugarin is a young, humble, talented fighter who people will be hearing about. Bugarin winner, 2^nd round TKO.

No one expected to see the “Fight of the Night” when Jodi Brown, Sac P.D., and Nelly Mendoza, Fresno P.D., stepped into the ring for the first time. For 6 minutes everyone in attendance witnessed something special. These ladies showed so much heart, and gave everything they had. The feelings you have while you watch matches like Brown and Mendoza are what make boxing so special. Their heart and bravado can never be questioned. If Brown or Mendoza never fight again, they left a lasting impression on everyone who witnessed their fight. Brown was announced the winner by decision.

UCA 4^th ranked Rafael Heredia, CDCR moved up in weight to take on 1-0 Dru McDonald Sac Metro Fire. McDonald drew first blood when he landed a shot that caused the referee to step in and give Heredia a standing 8 count.  Heredia cleared his head and returned the favor to McDonald by landing a hard shot to the head that prompted the referee to step in and give McDonald a standing 8 count. Heredia won the fight by decision and kept is undefeated streak alive.

Mark Tibbles , CDCR vs. Adan Castillo Yolo Co. Corrections. The first round looked like Tibbles would win the fight with his jab alone. Tibbles had the height and reach on Castillo and was using it perfectly. When the bell sounded to start the 2^nd round Castillo came out like a different fighter. He fought on the inside and threw short hooks and upper cuts. One of Castillo’s hooks to the body got through causing Tibbles to take a knee. The referee stepped in and stopped the fight in the 2^nd round. Castillo winner, 2^nd round TKO.

Craig Hamblin, CDCR had the size and weight advantage over his opponent Joe Gatie, CDCR. However Team Gatie had a game plan and executed it perfectly. Gatie is coached by Gary McCoy an accomplished amateur with over 80 fights. Despite Hamblin’s best efforts, he did not have an answer for Gatie’s strategy. Gatie winner by unanimous decision.

David Richardson, CDCR vs. Marco Montano, U.S Coast Guard. As soon as the bell sounded Richardson came forward and brought the fight to Montano. This was not a boxing match, this was a fight. In the 2^nd round Montano caught Richardson with a hard shot causing the referee to step in and stop the fight. Montano winner by 2^nd round TKO.

UCA #2 ranked Neil Tremethick, U.S. Army vs. UCA #7 ranked Chris Martinez, Avenal P.D. Martinez came out the first round working his jab like a piston. Half way through the first round Tremethick turned southpaw and that seemed to turn the tide in his favor. Martinez rhythm and timing seemed to be thrown off by the southpaw style of Tremethick. The second and 3^rd rounds were close with Tremethick winning with his speed and combinations. It was a technical, action packed fight with both boxers displaying a good skill set. Tremethick winner by decision.

The 18th annual Police Activities League Battle of the Badges will take place Friday, April 13 at The Dome, 2201 V St.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with the bouts beginning at 7 p.m., according to a Bakersfield Police Department news release.

Tickets are available at the following locations: Bakersfield Police Department, downtown and southwest stations; Bakersfield PAL Center at 301 E. Fourth St.; and Mr. Tuxedo, 2409 Brundage Lane.

Tickets are $20 for general admission, $30 for balcony seating and $40 for reserved ringside seating, the news release said. Proceeds benefit the Bakersfield Police Activities League.

An exciting night of boxing took place at the 18^th annual Bakersfield Battle of the Badges Friday April 13^th at The Dome. Boxers representing CDCR, BPD, CHP, KCPD, SLSO, BFD, DOJ, ICE, KCSO, and DPD filled the 12 bout fight card. The event started with a very competitive fight between Lynn Martinez, Bakersfield P.D. and Angela Molinar, CHP. Both ladies showed good skills and great conditioning. Martinez was announced the winner by decision.

The “Fight of the Night” honors went to Isaac Aleman, Bakersfield P.D. vs. Joshua Garcia, KCSO. The sheer will, effort, determination and sacrifice Aleman and Garcia showed is something that cannot be taught, it is something you are born with. They don’t know any other way then to leave their heart and soul in the ring. For three rounds they battled in the trenches. The judges should have thrown the score cards out and declared the fight a draw. It doesn’t seem fair to have a loser in a fight like this. Isaac Aleman was announced the winner. The fighters left the ring to a well deserved standing ovation from everyone in attendance.

In the second female bout of the night Samantha Callagy, BPD showed so much heart and never quit against a more experienced opponent in Connie Cazares, KCPD. Cazares picked up the win by decision.

Melvin Lopez, ICE took last year off but came back this year hungry and ready for battle. He won by decision over CDCR’s Heriberto Ruvalcaba. The event ended with Super Heavyweight’s Ricardo Martinez, Bakersfield Fire Dept vs. Stewart Porte, Kern Co. S.O. Porte picked up the decision win. Full fight card posted on the UCA results page.

The UCA #1 ranked Super Heavyweight Saul Ayon Kern Co. Sheriff’s Office is ready to fight for the UCA Title. Ayon has not been boxing but he is in great shape. He has been running 25+ miles a week to prepare for the Baker to Vegas run April 21st. Ayon will be facing Eddie Martinez LASD for the UCA Super Heavyweight State Title in the August Sacramento Battle of the Badges. Martinez and Ayon have similar stories. Both are highly skilled fighters who have not fought in a few years. It has been difficult for them to find competition with the same experience. Saul Ayon was once a top ranked amateur who qualified for the Olympic Trials. Martinez is undefeated with wins over Casey Johnson, Oakland Police Dept. and James Dorris Folsom Police Dept. Ayon and Martinez will be an exciting Super Heavyweight show-down.

Bryan Williams, Fresno P.D. will be moving into his new 12 Rounds of Training Boxing Gym next week at the Fresno Kickboxing Academy. The gym offers Jujitsu, kickboxing, MMA and boxing. Bryan is the head boxing coach at the gym. Bryan trains a lot of cops, military fighters and top ranked amateurs. Bryan has been around the game a long time and has a lot of boxing knowledge to share with his boxers. 12 Rounds of Training boxers are always in great shape, fundamentally sound and come to fight. All three of  Bryan’s boxers had a good showing at the Sacramento Battle of the Badges last month.   Lindsay Dozier won the UCA Nor Cal Featherweight Title, Nelly Mendoza won “Fight of the Night” honors and Chris Martinez lost a close decision. To become a good boxer you have to have a good coach.

Greg Huerta started Smash Time Boxing Club in Sacramento in 2009. Huerta has been in the fight game a long time and has a lot to offer his fighters. He started training fighters in 1978 for the Sacramento State Boxing Team with Head Boxing Coach Hank Elespuru. He also worked beside Don Conley at the Washington Neighborhood Center, “I learned a lot from Hank and Don,” Greg said. Huerta took that knowledge and trained fighters at Sacramento Pal and Capital City Boxing before opening his own gym.

Huerta trains both amateur and professional boxers but has a special interest in training public safety officers. Huerta’s own background is in Public safety. He started his career with the Department of Corrections in 1979, and retired as a Parole Agent 2 in 2008 he continued to work for CDCR and is now working with Child protective Services.

Greg Huerta is one of those coaches that does it for the love of the sport and to see his fighters achieve success.  Greg is also the trainer of the newly crowned UCA light heavyweight champion, James Davis, CDCR Folsom Prison. The UCA looks forward to seeing more of his public safety fighters, in the future.

The Galt United Boys U11 Soccer team brought home the Gold Cup last weekend from Manteca. The boys played in the highest division which was the “Premier” bracket. The first game was against a top team from Redding,Ca and Galt was far superior and it resulted in a 8-0 win for Galt. In the second game Galt faced Fresno’s Argentina Strikers and the boys came out with a 3-0 shutout. The Semi final game was against a very fast and aggressive Ceries Earthquake team and the score showed it as Galt fought hard to get the 2-0 victory. The Championship game matched Galt against a State level team, the Santa Rosa Barcelona Athleticos. The game was very close from start to finish but Galt wasn’t to be denied and the final score was 4-2 in favor of Galt. Congratulations to the Galt United Premier Soccer Team. The UCA is a proud sponsor of the Galt soccer team and wishes them continued success throughout the season.