Battle at the Academy Results

Bout 1 featured Light Heavyweights Shaun Sutherland, Big Bear City FD vs. Jose Rivera, (Civilian). As soon as the bell rang Rivera went right after Sutherland’s body, landing  left hooks to the body that Julio Caesar Chavez would be proud of. Rivera was very patient in his attack, putting together nice combinations. Sutherland would have his moments in the 1^st and 2^nd rounds but would be down 2 rounds on the score cards going into the 3rd^.  Sutherland would need a knockout to win and he almost pulled it off. Rivera showed signs of slowing down and Sutherland took advantage of it. He pressured Rivera to the ropes and threw some hard right hands that landed right on target but Sutherland would run out of time. The bell would sound and Rivera would pick up the victory.  

Bout 2 featured Welterweights #4 ranked Ray Encinas, LAPD vs. Fernando Saldana, (Civilian) Monster Boxing. Great fight between two action fighters. Encinas and Saldana would land solid shots throughout the fight. But it was Encinas who was dishing out more than he was taking. The difference in this fight was Encinas volume of punches thrown and landed. Encinas winner by decision.

Bout 3 featured Jr. Middleweights 5th ranked Eriverto Montano, LAPD vs. 3^rd ranked Dustin Rodriguez, Santa Monica FD. This fight was no walk in the park for either fighter. For 3 rounds Montano and Rodriguez would take turns getting the better of each other in the exchanges. This was a high skill level action packed fight. This is what you get when you have two of the best Jr Middleweights in the state going at it.  After 3 close rounds the decision would be left up to the judges.  Rodriguez would edge out a split decision win and put a blemish on Montano’s perfect record by handing him his first defeat. From their performance Rodriguez and Montano established themselves as top rated fighters. With the win Rodriguez takes over the #2 spot in the Jr Middleweight division and Montano slides into the 3^rd spot. .

Bout 4 featured Light Heavyweights 6^th ranked Brendy Ponce, LAPD vs. Johnnie Medina, U.S. Marshall’s Office. Throughout the fight both guys would throw and land heavy leather but Medina wasn’t able to deliver the same kind of hurt Ponce was delivering. Due to Medina getting caught with some hard shots the referee was forced to step in and give a standing 8 count and eventually stopping the fight in the 3^rd. round, although Medina indicated to the referee he wanted to continue. Ponce is known for his punching power and is earning a reputation as the Mike Tyson of the Light Heavyweight division. Powerhouse performance, Ponce 3^rd TKO

Bout 5 featured Super Middleweights 5^th ranked Aurelio Vasquez, LAPD vs. 3rd ranked Brian Petrella, Pasadena PD. When the bell sounded there was a tiny bit of a feeling period then pretty soon they were mixing it up. Vasquez and Petrella were landing some heavy artillery and both seemed to like that kind of fight.  Being out of the ring nearly two years Petrella was in great shape and showed signs of his Gold Medal Police Olympian pedigree. But Vasquez was determined to keep his perfect record intact. He took the fight to Petrella landing the cleaner more effective punches.  Vasquez winner by decision. Vasquez would stay perfect bringing his record to 3-0.

Bout 6 featured Light Heavyweights #1 ranked Mike Barragan, LAPD vs. Bryant Hobbs, (Civilian) Monster Boxing. Great matchup between two boxers with contrasting styles. This fight would go the distance and left up to the judges to decide the winner. Tough fight to score. Barragan winner by decision.

Bout 7 featured Heavyweights Bert Castaneda, LAPD vs. Louie Vaca CDCR, Lancaster. Castaneda is coming off a 1^st round KO win against a NYPD boxer and it looked like he would do it again when he sent Vaca to the canvas early in the first round. The knockdown seemed to wake Vaca up, he went right after Castaneda. Vaca had the faster hands and was beating Castaneda to the punch. Castaneda seemed to be waiting to land his knockout blow while Vaca was landing two and three punches at a time. Castaneda would get his opportunity in the 3^rd rd, rocking Vaca with a left hook but Vaca remain standing and continued to answer back.  With 30 seconds left both fighters started unloading everything in their arsenal. Back and forth, right hands, left hooks, true gladiators laying it all on the line. Great finish to a great fight.  Castaneda winner by decision.

Bout 8 featured Light Heavyweight Chuck Wampler, LAPD vs. #1 ranked Super Middleweight Ricky Seward, Big Bear City FD.  The multi-dimensional Seward was too much for the less experienced Wampler. Seward has a tremendous skill set and is known for his incredible ring intelligence. Wampler would have his moments in the fight but it wouldn’t be enough. Wampler has a huge heart and earned a lot of respect by stepping into the ring with a seasoned veteran and putting on a competitive fight. Seward winner by decision.

Main Event featured Welterweights 10^th ranked Miguel Mejia, LAPD vs. 8th ranked Henry Sanchez, San Bernardino Co SD. In a UCA Fight of The Year candidate Miguel Mejia, and Henry Sanchez, closed out a spectacular night of fights with a good old fashion shootout. These two evenly matched action warriors left everything they had in the ring. This nonstop battle would go on for three rounds and would be left up to the judges to decide the winner. Sanchez winner by decision. This fight received “Fight of the Night” honors.

The Battle at the Academy is in the books and the fans definitely got their money’s worth. Huge credit to Rudy Barragan, John Negrete, Frank Diaz, Robert Morales, Quran Molina, the LAPD Newton Division Cadets, Officer Brenda Morales, LAPD Boxing Team Photographer, Chuck Krall. MIB Security.  Andres Martinez Jr, the Millienia Law Team. Jose Tavares, Tacos El Gavillan Restaurants, Edgar Ponce, 818 Boxing Club, USA Boxing. Retired LAPD Sgt. Daniel Roman, Rudy Yang, Ruben Crane, Los Angeles Police Revolver and Athletic Club and Chief Charlie Beck.