SoCal BOTB Results

Photos and Article written by: James Wyatt, Examier.

Bout #1 saw welterweight Adam Acuna (3-2) of the Baldwin Park Police Department going up against Felipe “The Disciple” Juarez (0-2) of the U. S. Forrest Service. According to Blanton, the ring announcer, during the weigh-ins, Juarez referred to Acuna as Hakuna Matata. The Lion King phrase which means “no worries for the rest of your days.” Acuna gave Juarez plenty to worry about as he pummeled his opponent from the opening bell.

Bout #2 featured heavyweights, 6’3” Nick “Buckshot” Bennallack of the Anaheim Police Department making his Battle of the Badges debut against 6’ Mark “Hands of Steel” McGill (0-1) of the U. S. Fire Service. In the chaotic first round, it appeared Bennallack was landing the cleaner shots and getting the best of McGill who after losing his balance went down. McGill was having problems with his head gear. Then, in Round #2, after a second knockdown, an amazing turnaround occurred, and McGill, no longer having problems with the head gear, started beating Bennallack to the punch. It got so bad that Bennallack walked into three straight lefts. After having breathing problems, he eventually spit out his mouthpiece. As the third round started, McGill was right back in Bennallack’s grill. At this point, referee Tom Taylor recognized Bennallack’s plight and called for the fight doctor, Dr. Koka, of the San Jacinto Medical Clinic’s Urgent Care to look at his nose. After she recommended a stoppage, Taylor took heed and called a halt to the match.

Bout #3 featured two more debutants, light heavyweights, 6’2” Nick “the Slick One” Herstine of the Pechanga Department of Security who trains at the Boxing Gym in Temecula going up against 5’11” Nick “The Bulldog” Boyd a Military Police officer in the Army National Guard training at The Arena in Point Loma. To give the bout more flair, Blanton, the show’s MC, added another sly remark: “Boyd said, ‘How can Herstine expect to beat me? All he ever does is stand around and protect little old ladies with their plastic cups full of nickels.”Once again, the snide remark had the crowd chuckling. Herstine took Round #1 by being busier. Then early in Round #2 he delivered a big left hook that sent Boyd down for the count.

Bout #4 featured heavyweights, 41 year-old Moses “Moe” Lomeli of the California Department of Corrections facility at Chino making his debut against Robert “Don’t Doubt Me” Morales (1-0) of the Rialto Police Department. On his way to the ring, Morales had so many supporters in his entourage, it was like watching a graduation ceremony at West Point. From the outset, the two men went toe to toe with Lomeli showing true grit by walking through punch after punch. Before long his face became a bloody mess from the accumulation of blows. Once again the fight doctor was called and once again she recommended a stoppage.

Bout #5 featured light heavyweight Frank “The Tank” Holguin Jr. of CIW (1-1) going up against Brandon “The Trembler” Birchett (1-0) of the U. S. Fire Service in Corona.In this one, Holguin did his best impression of Joe Frazier and went after the much taller Birchett, the same way Frazier went after Ali with the looping and lunging left hooks to the midsection and side of the head. At the end of the contest, Holguin, the brawler, was way ahead on the scorecards.

Bout #6 featured cruiserweights, 43 year-old Eddie “the Warrior” Pena (1-1) of the California Department of Corrections at Norco going up against 35 year-old Smokin’ Joe Finch of the U. S. Fire Service in Corona (1-2). In this one, Pena was far and away the better boxer. Still, he got over confident and got caught several times with straight left hands. It appeared he was willing to take a punch in order to deliver three in response. In the end, the win was never in doubt.

Bout #7 featured two more debutants, 33 year-old Nick “The Flying Jalapeno” Vega, 200 pounds, of the Pechanga DPS going up against 27 year-old Michael “the Operator” Mastaler, 215 pounds, of the Rialto Police Department. This one was as close as you get to a barroom brawl. After each heavy blow, the momentum of the puncher, usually Vega, had him falling forward on his opponent. It’s a wonder it didn’t turn into a ‘raslin match. After the smoke cleared, it was Vega, getting his arm raised in victory.

Both Bouts #8 and #9 were cancelled. Since Leo Rendon of Pechanga DPS was ready to go in Bout #8, he got the win by default. Concerning the scheduled fighters for Bout #9, the 275 pound Manuel “The Big Dawg” Ayala from CDC – Chino was a no-show for his bout against Matthew James De Hoog. Blanton, the show’s MC, purported that “Big Dawg” more than likely was getting neutered.

In Bout #10 they had super middleweights, 5’10” Anthony “Tomahac” Camou from the California Highway Patrol going up against 47 year old Lee Hanger from the Department of Corrections-Ironwood. Both boxers were making their Battle of the Badges debut. Despite Camou having the better boxing skills, Hanger’s overall strength advantage precluded any thoughts of a knockout and thus this Battle Royale lasted up until the final bell.

Barring any backlash from a Women’s Rights Organization, Mr. Blanton introduced Bout #11 as: “The Chick Fight.” In this female bout, 5’ 6”, 35 year-old Yesenia Nelson (1-0) of CDC – Chino faced 5’9”, 28 year-old Allison Jablonsky of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. Jablonsky was making her Battle of the Badges’ debut. From the opening bell, Nelson was hoping to stay inside while Jablonsky preferred to remain at a distance to take full advantage of her superior head-snapping jab along with an occasional overhand right. Despite the constant clinching by Nelson, Jablonsky did a good job of sharpshooting her shorter opponent to win an unanimous decision victory.

In the Co-Main event, it was 6’2”, 210 pounds, Ryan “The Hitman” Hotchkiss (2-0) taking on 5’10”, 205 pounds, Manny Jesus “Iceman” Rocha (0-2) of the Department of Homeland Security (ICE). This one didn’t last long as Rocha was more of a “swing and a miss” boxer while Hotchkiss’ punches were on the mark. After having trouble with his headgear, Rocha started taking even more shots to the head. At one point he was clearly dazed and the referee issued him a standing eight count. By Round #2, Hotchkiss had himself a knock down and soon after a stoppage for the quick victory.

In the main event, Jorge “The Bulldog” Salazar (3-0) from the Riverside County Sheriff Department in Murrieta sought to remain undefeated in his bout against California Department of Corrections-Ironwood officer Mario “Fattdaddy” Alonzo. Just like you see in a featherweight match, the two heavyweights went toe to toe unloading their best shots. While Alonzo’s punches were wider and often off the mark, Salazar’s were more accurate and soon enough you could see which side was loosing ground. Then all of a sudden Alonzo got popped and down he went.