Boxing at the Quiet Cannon

Friday Night’s LA Battle of the Badges started off with the #1 ranked Jr Welterweight Larry “The Bodysnatcher” Cervantes, LA County Coroners Office taking on newcomer Issac Bustamante, Azusa Boxing Club. Cervantes looked sharp against the younger brother of Juan Bustamante. Bustamante would go the distance with Cervantes but was on the losing end of the decision. Cervantes winner by decision. Issac looks to follow in his big brother’s foot steps.

In a welterweight crossroads fight Angel “The Natural” Vasquez, LASD, TTCF took on Brent Bugarin, Santa Clara SD. At the sound of the bell Vasquez came out using his footwork and hand speed. It looked like Bugarin made the long trip from Santa Clara for a boxing lesson. But The Kennel Boxing Team fighter had a game plan and he never deviating from it. It was to attack the body and throw every punch with a purpose.  Vasquez showed a big heart in trying to fend off Bugarin’s body attack but eventfully succumbed to the pressure. Bugarin winner 3^rd rd TKO. Bugarin seemed to be another level and really showed his potential as a fighter. Bugarin brings his record to, 2-0 and solidifies himself as one of boxing’s rising stars.

Feliciano “Pure Guts” Perez, LASD, MCJ vs Manny “The Bomber” Amaya, LASD, Homicide, Supercruiserweights. These two warriors stepped into the ring for the first time with only four days notice and put on the best performance of the night. Perez and Amaya fought furiously every second of the fight and the excitement increased with every landed punch. These guys would rather lose an exciting fight then win a boring one. Perez was announced the winner of the fight however, both fighters were recognized for their heart and determination with “Fight of Night” honors.

Roxanne “The Little Natural” Chavez, LASD, TTCF vs Isabel “Sweet Punch” Sandoval, LASD, MCJ, Super Featherweights. Sandoval showed everyone why she is the #1 ranked Super Featherweight. She put her punches together nicely. Throughout the fight Sandoval displayed good skills, throwing crisp combinations, changing levels, working the body and coming back to the head. Chavez showed a lot of upside against the more experienced fighter. She has a good defense, footwork and overall good fundamentals. Chavez would end each combination with a left hook which paid off for her. It was a competitive, technical fight but the experience proved to be too much for Chavez. Sandoval winner by decision.

Mike “I will Amaze Ya” Frazier, LASD, MCJ  vs Kannon Lariba, CDCR CMC, Heavyweights. Kannon was a game fighter against the 2^nd ranked Frazier. Kannon knew what he had to do against the more experienced fighter and he walked right into the fire to accomplish it. Kannon pressed the action the whole fight in hopes of landing a big shot. Frazier did a good job of using his footwork, moving in and out and never giving Lariba the opportunity he needed to hit a homerun. It was an exciting competitive fight but Frazier’s experience and talent proved to be too much. Frazier has all the tools to become the UCA Heavyweight Champion. He has confidence, power, quickness, ring savvy, great overall boxing skills and is very comfortable in the ring. Frazier winner by decision. Kannon has a bright future in the sport and can only get better.

Main Event Juan “Bad Blood” Bustamante, LAPD, Foothill Division vs Erik “Lone Wolf” Ramirez, LASD, IRC Super Middleweights. Both fighters showed tremendous poise, skill and talent however neither fighter ever seemed to get out of the feeling out stage. Ramirez and Bustamante are friends and were talking in the dressing room which could have prevented them from engaging in the fight 100%. It’s tough to turn on the “Kill or be Killed” switch against a guy you are friends with. Both fighters put together nice combinations that landed right on target. Bustamante however pressed the action and seemed to control the tempo of the fight. The fight would go the distance and would be left up to the judges to decide. Bustamante would edge out a decision to close out his amateur boxing career with a win. Erik looked impressive against the more experienced Bustamante and looks to fight at his natural weight, 160 & under in the future.

The LA Battle of the Badges is in the books. Due to injuries, getting time off and personal issues, a number of fighters had to pull out of this event. Mike Young, LASD Sgt, and Promoter did a great job of putting this event on.

Full fight card results on the UCA results page.