2019 Year In Review

Since its debut, the UCA’s goal has been to elevate Public Safety Boxing with in depth coverage of fighters, coaches, gyms, and events. Public Safety boxing proved once again it is not slowing down. With 2019 in the rearview mirror 2020 is ready to bring you the biggest fights between the best fighters. The game has changed it isn’t like it once was. The past has paved the way for the new era. Let’s take a look back at the biggest accomplishments and stories that you may have missed.

UCA Promoter of the Year
Jeff Penn, SoCal Battle of the Badges
One who is respected and experienced in putting together the biggest fights in the biggest venues. A production that can be compared to a professional boxing event. Events that are held in fan friendly venues and everyone is guaranteed a good time.

UCA Event of the Year – Central California Battle of the Badges, Hanford Civic Auditorium, Hanford CA
The biggest names competed in front of a SOLD OUT crowd at the Hanford Civic Auditorium. Eight new Champions were crowned along with an action packed under card. Fund raising efforts benefited the Fallen Officers Resource Fund and the Hanford Police Department Explorers Program.

UCA Fighter of the Year – Chris Dubiansky, Camp Pendleton Fire Dept.
A fighter who directly impacts Public Safety boxing by the way he/she performs in the ring. A fighter who stood out from the rest and proved they are the best by challenging and defeating anyone who was put in front of him. Chris Dubiansky, Camp Pendleton Fire Dept was the most active champion. He fought three times in 2019. He made a successful move down to Heavyweight to take the UCA Heavyweight title from the former undefeated Champion Marqus Blevins, Kings County Sheriffs Dept  Dubiansky has accomplished what only three fighters have done before.  He is a two division (Heavy and Super Heavyweight) Champion and holds two belts simultaneously  

UCA Coach of the Year – Mel Walker
A coach who has the knowledge and experience to unlock a fighters true potential and mold them into a champion. There are a lot of critical factors that make a champion, having a great coach is the most important one. Mel Walker has made a real name for himself by continually sending  some of the best prepared fighters in the sport into battle. He has built up his stable slowly and steadily over the years. He currently trains three UCA Champions (Anthony Cross, Aaron Benoit, Izzy Montes) along with some promising, rising stars.

Fighters who received the Highest Public Safety Boxing Honor
Mario Alonzo, CDCR Centenila State Prison defeated David Lomeli, CDCR, Ironwood State Prison to become the new Masters UCA Super Heavyweight Championship Title at the SoCal Battle of the Badges February 8, 2019.

Joe Fuentes, City of Miami Fire Rescue defeated Frank Quitugua, CDCR Calif Medical Facility to claim the Masters UCA Welterweight Title at the NorCal Battle of the Badges October 6, 2019

Aaron Benoit, CDCR Calif Health Care Facility defeated Gerardo Serrano, Reedley Police Dept to win the UCA Jr Cruiserweight Belt at the Central California Battle of the Badges April, 6, 2019. 

Izzy Montes, CDCR Calif State Prison Sacramento defeated Mike Hagen, Calif Highway Patrol to take the Masters UCA Light Heavyweight Title at the Central California Battle of the Badges April, 6, 2019. 

Chris Dubiansky, Camp Pendleton Fire Dept defeated Marqus Blevins, Kings County Sheriff’s Dept to claim the UCA Heavyweight Championship Title at the Central California Battle of the Badges April, 6, 2019. 

James Dorris, Folsom Police Dept defeated Bryan Williams, Fresno Police Dept to grab the Masters UCA Jr Heavyweight crown at the NorCal Battle of the Badges October 6, 2019

Sterling Ingram, U.S Navy defeated DJ Vargas, Hanford Police Dept to become the new UCA Super Middleweight Champion at the Central California Battle of the Badges April, 6, 2019. 

UCA Biggest Most Memorable Fights of 2019
Fights that undoubtedly will be talked about years from now. While most fights come and go these memorable battles will live on through the ages and become a part of UCA Boxing History. 

Technical brilliance and a furious and unrelenting tempo made these three fights captivating and special to watch.

Marqus Blevins, Kings County Sheriff’s Dept. vs Chris Dubiansky, Camp Pendleton Fire Dept. for Blevins UCA Heavyweight title. Central California Battle of the Badges April, 6, 2019 Hanford CA.  Dubiansky winner by decision.  

Gerardo Serrano, Reedley Police Dept vs Aaron Benoit, CDCR – CHCF for Serrano’s UCA Jr Cruiserweight title. Central California Battle of the Badges April 6, 2019 Hanford CA. Benoit winner by decision.  

Christian Pharo, San Diego Fire Dept Lifeguard vs Dusty Rodriguez, Santa Monica Fire Dept for Pharo’s UCA Jr Middleweight title  911 Fight Night Pomona CA  August 17, 2019  Pharo winner by decision.  

UCA Champions who solidified their reign and remained among the sport’s best fighters with successful title defenses  
April Martinez, CDCR – CHCF defeated Jessica Segovia, Banning Police Dept NorCal Battle of the Badges October 6, 2019.

Christian Pharo, San Diego FD Lifeguard defeated Dusty Rodriguez, Santa Monica FD – 911 Fight Night Pomona CA August 17, 2019

Anthony Cross, CDCR – CSP Sac defeated Juan Valle, Sanger Police Dept, NorCal Battle of the Badges October 6, 2019 

Aurelio Vazquez, LAPD defeated Jack River, Sac City Fire Dept 911 Fight Night, Pomona CA August 17, 2019

BJ Adkins, Raleigh County Sheriffs Dept. defeated Jordan Creager, U.S Army, Louisiana Battle of the Badges October 18, 2019

Chris Dubiansky, Camp Pendleton Fire Dept. defeated Jonah Torres, AMR, SoCal Battle of the Badges June 30, 2019

UCA Breakout Fighter of the Year
A fighter who wins over the crowd with skill, heart and personality. One you can’t wait to see fight again.

Ryan Ramirez – Los Angeles Fire Dept
Tyrone Hurst – Los Angeles Fire Dept
Mike Pesole, CDCR – California State Prison Sacramento
Tullee Brown, CDCR – Deuel Vocational Institution 
Alejandro Tafoya – San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office
Cesar Sosa, CDCR – California Medical Facility 
Jamie Hutcheson, CDCR – Deuel Vocational Institution 
Bogdan Gushchin – Stockton Police Dept 
Manuel Galvan, CDCR – Sierra Conservation Center
Ruben Munoz – Calif Dept. of Social Services Investigations
Josh Robles – Los Angeles Police Dept 
Aaron Toliver – Los Angeles Police Dept 
Jose Espinoza – Fresno County Sheriff’s Dept.

UCA Gym of the Year – Grimz Gym, Sacramento CA

Home of the undefeated Jr Cruiserweight Champion Aaron Benoit, CDCR – CHCF, the reigning and defending UCA Cruiserweight Champion Anthony Cross, and the Masters UCA Light Heavyweight Champion Izzy Montes, CDCR – CSP Sacramento 

The Most Exciting Division –  Light Heavyweight and Jr Cruiserweight 
Aaron Benoit, CDCR CHCF currently owns the UCA Jr Cruiserweight title. The Light Heavyweight title is currently vacant but will have a champion after Gerardo Serrano, State Center Community College District Police Dept and Remin Pineda, LASD meet at the Central California Battle of the Badges April 11, 2020. There is no shortage of legitimate title threats at 175lbs and 183 lbs. The ranking ladder may move at a furious pace in 2020. The two divisions are loaded with championship-caliber talent: Bogdan Gushchin, Stockton PD, Cesar Sosa, CDCR CMF, Gabriel Flores, LAPD  Jaime Hutcheson, CDCR – DVI, Devin Desjarlais. Stockton Fire Dept, Ray Bautista, Linda Fire Dept. Charles Medrano, LAPD Anthony Walker, Reedley PD, and Albert Tapia, USC PD  With the top fighters in the Jr Cruiserweight division able to fight at Light Heavyweight the landscape of the two divisions can change drastically. 

UCA Most Improved Fighter – Victor Ibal, Sanger Police Dept.

UCA Title Fights That Got Away
Noel Montes, CDCR Folsom Prison vs Josh Webb, CHP – UCA Jr Heavyweight Title
Mike Valle, CDCR PVSP vs Quincy Mirage, LAPD – UCA Super Middleweight Title Trilogy
Anthony Cross, CDCR – CSP Sac vs Roman Grider, CDCR – Corcoran SATF – UCA Cruiserweight Title                                                              Mario Alonzo, CDCR – Centinela State Prison vs David Ross, Calif Highway Patrol – Masters UCA Super Heavyweight Title

Never in a Bad Fight – Remin Pineda, Los Angeles Sheriff’s Dept.

UCA Quote of the Year

“I just watched Kramer’s fight, I want that dude bad. I want to bring the title back to NorCal”  Alejandro Tafoya, San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office

UCA Hands of Stone – A fighter that has power in both hands and can end a fight at any moment with one punch. 
Daniel Dansby, CDCR – Calif Medical Facility
Ryan Ramirez, Los Angeles Fire Dept
Anthony Cross, CDCR – Calif State Prison Sacramento

UCA Upset of the Year – A fighter who enters a contest a considerable favorite and is defeated by a less experienced, unknown or unranked fighter.

Joel Ortiz, LAPD Cadet defeated Kellen Kramer, Bell Gardens PD at the Fight for Life event Los Angeles November 17, 2019.

UCA Golden Fists Award Winner– Golden Fists award is a symbol to recognize a fighter who has put on a superior athletic performance. One who has proved to have a firm foundation of the sweet science with championship qualities.

Alejandro Tafoya, San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office
Cesar Sosa, CDCR – California Medical Facility 
Bogdan Gushchin, Stockton Police Dept 

UCA Fight of the Night Honors – A fight that delivers the most exciting back and forth battle that has fans cheering and on the edge of their seat. These fights symbolize what public safety boxing stands for.

Rocky Diaz, Sierra Children’s Hospital Security vs Victor Ibal, Sanger Police Dept. Central California Battle of the Badges April 6, 2019. 
Mike Pesole, CDCR – CSP Sac vs Tullee Brown, CDCR – DVI. NorCal Battle of the Badges October 6, 2019  

Gladiator Award Winner
One who is greatly admired for bravery and courage. A fighter that projects strength, resolve, and humility. One who is tested and proved they are a true modern day gladiator. 

Carlos Quezada – Yolo County Sheriffs Dept.
Bobby Nichols, CDCR – Sierra Conservation Center
Steven Howard, CDCR – Deuel Vocational Institution 
Jose Herrera – California Highway Patrol 

UCA  Rivalry of the Year – Jack Rivera, Sac City Fire Dept vs Aurelio Vazquez, LAPD
UCA rivalries go beyond just fights. They produce real-life story-lines and leave a lasting mark on history. Every great fighter needs a great rival.  Ali had Frazier, Gatti had Ward, Corrales had Castillo, and Holyfield had Bowe. On the UCA platform, Stevens had Braithwaite, Fonseca had Morales and Blevins had Webb. UCA rivalries will only be looked back on even more fondly as time goes on.

UCA DJ of the Year – DJ Prince

UCA Photographer of the Year – Chris Akins

UCA Videographer of the Year – Casey Cantrell

UCA Announcer of the Year – Carlton Jones, Fresno City Fire Dept.

UCA Memorable Moments of the Year 
52 year old Izzy Montes, CDCR – CSP Sacramento and 55 year old Mike Hagen, CHP continue to defy age.  Montes and Hagen squared off for the Masters UCA Light Heavyweight title for the second time at the Central California Battle of the Badges April 6, 2019. Montes and Hagen are the oldest fighters to compete for a championship title. Montes and Hagen have taken turns holding the belt. Trilogy?

The undefeated UCA Super Middleweight Champion Sterling Ingram, U.S Navy and stablemate UCA Super Cruiserweight Champion Marqus Blevins Kings County Sheriffs Dept stayed busy this year by competing in Mixed Martial Arts. It was the second time Ingram and Blevins stepped into the cage to compete on the Valley Series card. On September 28, 2019. Ingram would claim the Valley Series 155 pound title belt. Blevins would defeat his opponent by rear naked choke in the 3rd round. Ingram and Blevins are now 2-0 in MMA.

On October 18, 2019 the UCA Jr Welterweight Champion BJ Adkins, Raleigh County Sheriffs Dept and the former Masters UCA Heavyweight Bryan Williams, Fresno Police Dept traveled to Louisiana to compete in the Battle of the Badges. Adkins defended his UCA Jr Welterweight title by defeating  Jordan Creager, U.S Army by decision. Williams defeated hometown favorite Anthony Deshautelle, Alexandria Police Dept to claim the Louisiana Battle of the Badges belt.

On April 6, 2019 the Miami City Fire Dept Captain Juan Rodriguez traveled to California to challenge the undefeated #1 ranked Anthony Cross, CDCR – CSP Sacramento for the UCA Cruiserweight crown  Rodriguez would go the distance but would not get the decision on the  judge’s score cards. it was an honor having Juan and his team apart of the event and now apart of the UCA family  

BJ Adkins, Raleigh County Sheriff’s Dept. defeated Devon Dejoie, U.S Navy to become the 2nd out of state fighter to capture the UCA Championship title. James Moore, Monroe Louisiana Fire Dept defeated Michael Banks, CDCR – CCC at the Central California Battle of the Badges April 9, 2016 to become the first out of state UCA Champion. 

Joe Fuentes, City of Miami Fire Rescue traveled from Florida to lift the previously unbeaten Masters UCA Welterweight title from Frank Quituguia, CDCR – California Medical Facility to become the 3rd out of state UCA Champion. 

What Fans Can Look Forward to in 2020 
Few would have heard of Jose Espinoza, Fresno County Sheriffs Dept 12 months ago, but 5 victories in 2019 and an attention grabbing win over David Martinez, CDCR – SCC at the NorCal Battle of the Badges October 6, 2019 has propelled him to the top of the Jr Welterweight division and into a UCA Jr Welterweight title fight with the Champion BJ Adkins, Raleigh County Sheriffs Dept. 

Despite his loss to Aaron Benoit, CDCR – CHCF the former Champion Gerardo Serrano, State Center Community College District Police Dept remains a big name at the top of the division. On April 11, 2020 he will face #1 ranked Remin Pineda, Los Angeles Sheriff’s Dept for the UCA Light Heavyweight crown 

Arrangements are being worked out for a rematch 22 years in the making between the Masters UCA Light Heavyweight Champion Izzy Montes, CDCR – CSP – Sac and Steven King, CDCR – State Parole. Montes and King met in the Gold Medal round of the 1998 Police Olympics. Montes would escape with the victory which King thought he deserved. King has wanted a rematch ever since. The timing may be perfect for Montes and King to finally meet.

Mike Valle, CDCR – Pleasant Valley State Prison looks to recapture the UCA Super Middleweight belt when he squares off with the undefeated UCA Super Middleweight Champion Sterling Ingram, U.S Navy at the Central California Battle of the Badges April 11, 2020.  

The Super Fight between the undefeated UCA Champion Anthony Cross, CDCR – CSP Sac and the undefeated #1 ranked Sean Baker, LAFD will come to fruition. Cross and Baker will square off at the Central California Battle of the Badges April 11, 2020.

The lightweight title may finally be filled this year. With the new arrival of Ruben Munoz, CA Dept of Social Services Investigations to the division and BJ Adkins, Raleigh County Sheriff’s Dept possibly moving down a weight class. Aaron Padilla, CDCR – San Quentin State Prison says he can make the 135 lb limit. Walter Lavarro, Long Beach Police Dept is interested in a Lightweight title shot.  

The reigning and defending UCA Welterweight Champion Mike Delery, LAPD will vacate his title and will campaign as a Middleweight. The #1 ranked title challenger David Bermudez, East Bay Regional Parks Police Dept is ready to claim the Welterweight title  

The signs are increasingly positive that the reigning and defending UCA Jr Middleweight Champion Christian Pharo, San Diego Fire Dept Lifeguard will meet the reigning and defending UCA Middleweight Champion Kellen Kramer, Bell Gardens Police Dept. Both fighters will put their title on the line in a winner takes all never done before fight. Both champions will meet at a catch weight of 157 and the Jr Middleweight and Middleweight titles will be up for grabs  

Chris Dubiansky, Camp Pendleton Fire Dept after talking to his team will possibly defend his Super Heavyweight title against #1 ranked Victor Ibal, Sanger Police Dept.at the Central California Battle of the Badges April 11, 2020. 

Public Safety boxing continued it’s solid exposure through multiple viewing platforms and expanded its presence in the United States. The 2019 season will be remembered as another remarkable year for public safety boxing. The talent pool continues to grow and 2020 promises to be a year full of great fights. See you in the New Year.