NorCal BOTB Results August 24, 2013

A great night of boxing at the Sacramento Battle of the Badges, Saturday August 24, 2013 at the McClellan Conference Center. (Sacramento)

Bout 1.  Gerardo Tinajero, Air Force vs. Angelo Trevino, Civilian (185lbs). Both guys showed good skills throughout the fight but Trevino was a little more polished. He showed good footwork, head movement, defense and looked comfortable in the ring. Trevino winner by decision.

Bout 2.  Featured two well-schooled athletes, Aloette Vera, Civilian vs. Stacy Cruz, Civilian (125lbs). The fans were in for a treat when these lady warriors entered the ring.  A very competitive fight with both fighters displaying good boxing skills. Vera has been around the game a long time and her experience showed. She is a very crafty fighter who can do it all. Beautiful work on the inside, good use of feints, good defense, puts her punches together nicely. Cruz is a good fighter and someone to keep an eye on but Vera was just too good too sharp and too smooth for Cruz. Vera winner by decision. Early contender for “Fight of the Night” honors.

On a side note, Vera fought with a heavy heart. She lost a family member the day before the fight and wasn’t in the right frame of mind and had to pull out of the fight. After her family encouraged her to fight Vera was back in. A very emotional win for Vera.

Bout 3 Antonio Rodriguez, CDCR CSP SAC vs. Craig Hamblin, CDCR Solano. Rodriguez winner by decision.

Bout 4.  Featured a matchup between two action warriors, Fabian Ramos, Civilian vs. Pittsa Pholkham, Marines (160lbs). Throughout the fight Pholkham would crank out left hooks that would knock down a building but Ramos would not go down. Ramos trains out of San Jose PAL with perhaps one of the best boxing coaches in the game, Candy Lopez, Retired San Jose PD, undefeated Police Olympic Gold Medalist, US Olympic Coach.  Ramos controlled the action from the 2nd round on.  What Ramos lacked in power he made up for in hand speed, stamina, and skill. Ramos was digging shots to the body and overwhelming Pholkham with ten punch combinations.  Pholkham was landing some heavy artillery but Ramos was more active, working the body and head and that’s what the judges like to see. Ramos Winner by decision. Front runner, “Fight of the Night.”

Bout 5. Raymond Cancel, CDCR CSP SAC vs. Aaron Broyles, CDCR Solano (215lbs). The way this fight started there was no way it would go the distance. These guys were hitting each other with everything but the kitchen sink. For Broyles it was his first time in the ring. How would he respond to getting hit, dealing with fatigue, nerves, fighting in front of so many people?  Until you are put into battle you never know. We all know now, Broyles is a beast and responded like a true Gladiator. Cancel and Broyles threw caution out the window and ignored the exhaustion and pain and threw bombs at one another for 3 rounds. If the thought of giving up ever entered their minds it quickly left. Just when you thought Cancel and Broyles may have punched themselves out they went back at each other. These fighters were running on fumes but refused to quit. This fight ended pretty much the way it started with both fighters landing heavy artillery. What a fight between two warriors desperate to win. With 3 more fights to go there is no way this fight will be out done for “Fight of the Night” honors.  Broyles winner by decision.

Bout 6, featured two evenly matched fighters, Josh Tann, Cal Fire vs. Ryan Darrohn, Air Force (185lbs). Very competitive first round.  Darrohn started to take control in the 2^nd landing some clean shots and backing Tann up. Close fight going into the 3^rd round.  Darrohn would land a beautiful right hand that would send Tann to the canvas and that would be the end. The referee would step in and put a stop to the action. Darrohn winner 3^rd TKO.

Bout 7. Eric Smith, Civilian vs. Noel Montes, Civilian (195lbs). This fight was marked by high level boxing by two ultra-talented fighters. Close first round with both fighters having their moments.  The 2^nd round Smith used a diversified attack to get inside Montes range. Smith was switching back and forth between southpaw and orthodox throwing lead lefts and rights that would catch Montes. Montes would do his best work on the outside but couldn’t seem to keep the fight there.  When Smith did close the distance he was effective on the inside. This fight would go the distance and be left up to the judges to figure out. Smith winner by a razor close decision.

Main Event featured the #1 rated Super Heavyweight Mike Gomez, CDCR CSP SAC taking on civilian Zeke Johnston. Gomez power was the clear difference in the fight. Every punch thrown by Gomez seemed to drive Johnston back to the ropes or off balance. Johnston would have his moments catching Gomez with some clean right hands. This fight would go the distance and Gomez would pick up the win by decision. The UCA Super Heavyweight Champion Cleon Jones, Yolo Co. Corrections was in attendance watching his mandatory challenger for his first title defense. Jones was seen dancing in his chair as the fight was going on……Jones vs. Gomez, what a fight that is going to be.