Central California Battle of the Badges Undercard Results

The Hanford Civic Auditorium was the host of perhaps the best Public Safety boxing cards in recent years.  Every fight on the card was a promoter’s dream to have as a main event. The energy was at an all-time high from the beginning bout to the main event.  In front of a capacity crowd the fighters did their part to put on an awesome display of heart, determination, skill and professionalism.

The night started with a spectacular fight featuring two fighters making their Battle of the Badges debut. Devon Dejoie, NAVY vs. Bodin Vimolchalao, Alameda Sheriff’s Dept. Dejoie is a slick fighter with good footwork, head movement and craftiness. Vimolchalao is a straight forward pressure fighter, nothing fancy, good fundamentals, throws straight punches, and has good balance. The fans were in for a treat with this boxer vs puncher matchup. In the 1st round Vimolchalao came out aggressive throwing punches while Dejoie used good footwork to feel Vimolchalao out and study him.  Both fighters came out in the2nd round throwing punches in bunches. Vimolchalao was the stronger puncher while Dejoie was the faster puncher. Close 2nd round. Vimolchalao continued to apply pressure in the 3rd round and throw the harder shots. Dejoie worked angles to find his openings.  Close competitive fight but in the end it was the harder punches landed and work rate that sealed the win for Vimolchalao.

The second bout of the night featured heavy handed Julian Badillo, Madera County Probation taking on DeLaSalle Tailback Joshua Beuster, Coalinga State Hospital Police Dept.  When the bell sounded Badillo jumped on Beuster looking to capitalize on his strength advantage.  Beuster was on the receiving end of some thunderous shots in the 1st round resulting in two standing ten counts.  Beuster weathered the storm, kept his composure and battled back in the 2nd and 3rd rounds landing some bombs of his own. Both fighters would have their moments throughout the fight but in the end it was Badillo who would walk away with the decision victory.

Bout 3 featured two undefeated young guns looking to put their name on the map and make an argument for the next shot at the Jr. Welterweight title. (6-0) Taron Scott, CDCR CYA Stockton vs. (4-0) Shant Sheklanian, Madera Police Dept. This fight was a back and forth chess match with both fighters trying to establish a rhythm and find an opportunity to take control of the fight. Sheklanian put consistent pressure on Scott but he refused to let Sheklanian impose his will on him. Scott was clearly the boxer in this match with good footwork and fast hands. Sheklanian is a text book fighter, never out of position, perfect technique, ring smarts, and does everything well. In the 1st round Scott took advantage of his speed, out-landing Sheklanian, advantage Scott. Close 2nd round with both fighters having their moments, slight advantage Sheklanian. Whoever wins the 3rd round wins the fight.  Sheklanian was very calculated with his punches in the 3^rd round, every punch thrown was for a reason. Scott used his superior footwork to find his range and his openings. This was a very technical fight between two solid fighters. The bell would end this fight and the decision would be left in the judges hands. Sheklanian would be announced the winner and pick up the fifth win of his career keeping his record unblemished as he awaits his next challenger. Sheklanian was tested and found a way to win.  This marks the first career loss for Scott but he is a warrior and will bounce back from the loss. With the win Sheklanian can expect to be propelled into bigger fights and perhaps the Jr. Welterweight Title at the end of the year. By the way Sheklanian performed Saturday night 2014 could be his year.

Bout 4 featured Robert Tamayo, Monterey County Probation vs. Larry Swanson, Los Angeles Sheriff’s Dept. This was an intriguing matchup between two fighters with contrasting styles. Tamayo does his best work on the outside keeping his opponents at the end of his punches. Swanson does his best work in close range digging shots to the body and head. Both fighters imposed their style on one another and both were effective. Tamayo was most effective with his style landing more punches and keeping Swanson where he wanted him. This fight would go the distance and in the end Swanson would pick up the win. With the win Swanson remains perfect at 2-0 while Tamayo suffers his first defeat and falls to 2-1. A rematch is in the works for August 1, 2014 LA Battle of the Badges.

The 5th bout of the night featured two fighters who know each other well but not in the ring. Mike Hernandez and Howard Roberts work at Pleasant Valley State Prison and have a friendly rivalry. When they found out the Battle of the Badges was being held in their backyard they jumped at the opportunity to fight each other. They were the first fight to be made on the card.  When the bell sounded to start the fight these guys went after each other. During the exchange of punches Hernandez twisted his knee and the fight was stopped in the 1st round by the referee due to Hernandez not being able to continue. Roberts would pick up the win via 1st rd. TKO.

Bout 6 featured hometown favorite Tony Veloz, Fresno County Sheriff’s Dept. vs. Craig Hamblin, CDCR, Solano State Prison. There was a lot of circling and feeling out in this fight. Neither fighter was willing to engage or take control of the fight. When Veloz and Hamblin did engage they were effective. This fight would go the distance and left up to the judges to decide who the winner is.  When you are fighting in your opponent’s home town you have to expect he will get the nod in a close bout, it’s the nature of the beast. As an out of town fighter you need to make it obvious to the judges that you are the winner by knocking your opponent down or knocking him out. This was a tough fight to score and could go either way.  After the scorecards were added up Veloz would pick up a narrow decision victory and Hamblin would suffer his 7th defeat.

Bout 7 featured super heavyweights, Chris Lewis, Fresno County Sheriff’s Dept. vs. Rishard Hayes, Santa Rosa Rancheria Tribal Public Safety. Lewis had the clear size and power advantage while Hayes was the faster slicker fighter. Hayes did a good job of getting in, landing his punches and getting out before Lewis could get off his shots. Lewis continued to walk Hayes down and would eventually catch Hayes with some clean blows and force the referee to step in and give Hayes a standing ten count. Throughout the fight Lewis would land some thunderous shots that would back Hayes up and off balance.  Hayes kept his composure and proved he has a huge heart.  Lewis and Hayes were landing their shots throughout the fight but it was Lewis who was dishing out more than he was taking. The power shots landed by Lewis was the difference in the fight. Lewis winner by decision.

Bout 8 featured the only female fight on the card and they did not disappoint. Laura Morales, Fresno County Probation vs. Deirdre Fonseca, Los Angeles Police Dept. lived up to 100% of the hype. Styles make fights and Morales and Fonseca’s style made for a great fight. There are no words that can explain the kind of courage Morales and Fonseca showed. There was no loser in this fight both ladies are winners and wanted to win and did everything they could do to possibly win. For their tremendous heart and courage this fight received “Fight of the Night” honors with Morales ultimately emerging victorious due to a razor close decision. To receive those honors on a card that featured Gutierrez vs. Cano, Scott vs. Sheklanian, Flores vs. Lavarro is a huge accomplishment. The fans in attendance may be the real winners in this fight. To witness two people fight with so much heart, will and determination it makes the fans look inside themselves and realize they just witnessed something special.  This fight will go down in UCA History among the handful of greatest boxing matches in Public Safety.  When the fight was over Morales and Fonseca embraced and must have realized they had done something historic that people will be talking about for a long time. Not only do Morales and Fonseca have the skills and heart to become a Champion they are also great people.

Bout 9 featured Rudy Gutierrez, Army National Guard vs. Roman Cano, Fresno Police Dept. You won’t see glitz or glamour with these two blue collar fighters. They enter the ring to do one thing, win. 30 seconds into the fight you knew a classic fight was ready to unfold. This bout had punishment and lots of it. Gutierrez and Cano were taking some hard shots but continued to battle. Neither fighter showed signs of being hurt, however they will show signs over the next week. Both fighters were exchanging fire the whole fight.  The intensity, ferociousness, and precision punching of both boxers provided a memorable war that will be talked about for a long time. Their resiliency, their strength of body and spirit was incredible. This was a high level fight between two evenly matched opponents. Regardless of the outcome these two fighters have the DNA of Champions. In a fight that could have easily gone the other way Cano would be announced the winner by a narrow razor close split decision. What a fight!

Bout 10 featured the Trilogy between Chris Martinez, Avenal Police Dept. and Brandon Manning, Los Angeles Sheriff’s Dept. The Battle of the Badges is a boxing event but Martinez and Manning are more interested in brawling. Anytime these fighters get into the ring with each other the waters are going to get real choppy. On Saturday night Martinez and Manning picked up where they left off with rounds 7, 8 and 9. No feeling out period necessary these fighters went at each other throwing every punch with bad intentions. The fight featured little defense as both fighters were more interested in throwing bombs at each other. After three tough, brutal, grinding rounds the decision would be left to the judges to figure out. In the end Martinez would pick up the hard earned win and lead the series 2-1.  Is this the end of the Martinez vs Manning rivalry?

The Central California Battle of the Badges is in the books. The card was stacked from top to bottom with phenomenal athletes with the desire to win.  There was not a boring fight on the card.