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Rungvisai Defeats Estrada
By Albert Castillo
Photos: William Trillo
In front of a crowd of 7,827 at the “Fabulous Forum”
Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (45-4-1 40 KO’s) retained his WBC
World Super Flyweight Title with a majority decision over
Juan Francisco Estrada (36-3, 25 KO’s) in a hotly contested
battle. Throughout the contest Estrada was highly focused
and strategic.
Sor Rungvisai appeared large and looming for a Super
Flyweight. Although Estrada landed some crisp combinations
Sor Rungvisai caught Estrada at the end of round three with
a sharp left hook.
The same happened at the end of round four when Sor
Rungvisai again caught Estrada right on the nostril with a
stiff right hand. Round eight saw both fighters standing toe
to toe which whipped the crowd into a frenzy.
However, it was the last round that was a candidate for
round of the year. Estrada needed at least a knockdown and
he gave it all he could with the largely Hispanic crowd
roaring behind him. He connected again and again but he
could not put the tough Thailand champ down.
In the end it was too little too late. Although Estrada
exited unmarked and Sor Rungvisai with a swollen right eye
and bruised cheek, two of the three judges had it for Sor
Rungvisai by majority decision win 114-114 115-113, 117-111.
The heavily favored Estrada crowd booed the decision
mercilessly.
IBF World Flyweight Champion Filipino Donnie Nietes (41-1-4
23 KO’s) retained his title by stopping Argentinian
contender Juan Carlos Reveco (39-4, 19 KO’s).
At the bell ending the sixth round Nietes caught Reveco with
a left hook that sent him staggering to his corner. This was
the beginning of the end as Nietes jumped on Reveco as the
bell started for round seven.
At 53 seconds into round seven Nietes dropped Reveco with a
solid combination. Upon getting to his feet Reveco’s corner
threw in the towel.
After the fight Nietes stated, "I'm very proud to defend my
title in front of all the great Filipino fans here Los
Angeles." "I want the biggest fights either at this weight
or to move up""There has been talk of me fighting
'Chocolatito' next, that's a fight I want." "I'd also like
to fight the winner of 'Sor Rungvisai/Estrada.” In regards
to his rival, Dr. Wallace insisted Reveco go right to the
hospital for observation and Reveco was not available to
speak with the media.
Ukrainian Artem Dalakian (16-0, 11 KO’s) captured the vacant
WBA World Flyweight Title by narrowly defeating former
four-time champion Brian Viloria, although the scorecards
would suggest an easy victory for Dalakian. After a
lackluster start, this fight started to come alive in the
seventh round when Viloria caught Dalakian with a right hand
that sent him reeling into the ropes.
In the ninth Dalakian connected with five unanswered
punches. Unfortunately, Dalakian gave away the round when
the referee deducted a point from him for pushing down the
head of Viloria after being warned about it previously.
In the eleventh a head butt opened a deep gash on the
forehead of Viloria. By the twelfth and final round Viloria
was a bloody mess. Dalakian punctuated his victory with
several swift combinations in the final round. All judges
had it 118-109 in favor of Dalakian.
Post fight Dalakian stated, "I'm very proud to be the newest
champion from Ukraine." "I knew I was hurting him the whole
fight." 'I want to unify with any of the other world
champions." "I loved fighting in the United States and I
can't want to comeback and fight in Los Angeles." Viloria on
the fight, "It was a tough fight, real tough guy, kept his
distance. I could never get inside like I wanted to. The
head butt really made me woozy."
Puerto Rican McWilliams Arroyo stole the WBC Silver Super
Flyweight Title from former champion Carlos Cuadras. The
fight was extremely close. Cuadras staggered Arroyo in the
second round but could not put him away.
The fight continued in a back and forth fashion with Cuadras
winning one round and Arroyo wining the next all the way up
to the last round. Unfortunately Cuadras did not show what
he is capable of. He appeared stiff and could not get off.
He allowed Arroyo to get off first several times.
Although Arroyo never hurt Cuadras he landed more quality
shots. While one judge scored the fight even, 95-95, two
other judges gave the nod to Arroyo 98-92, 97-93 handing him
the majority decision and the Silver Super Flyweight Title.
A jubilant Arroyo exclaimed post fight, "I'm very happy with
my performance." "People underestimate me because I've been
off for two years but I've been in the gym the entire time
training." "When the opportunity presented itself, I was
ready for Cuadras and knew I'd be victorious." "I'm ready
for the winner of the main event and to prove I'm the best
fighter in the division." Cuadras reflected, "Very stiff all
fight long, I couldn't land any of the jabs I wanted." "My
conditioning was great" His trainer Abel Sanchez said,
"Arroyo fought a very smart fight, never let Cuadras do
anything, sometimes that happens in boxing."
Popular Paramount, California fighter, Pedro, “Pete” Duran
(16-0-3 KO’s) brawled eight rounds with tough Mexican
Enrique “Torito” Tinoco (16-5-4) 12 KO’s ).
Both fighters gave as good as they got. They mixed it up
every round with both connecting on a variety of shots. The
fight was extremely close and it was a tough one to score.
In the end, judges called it a majority draw. 77-75 for
Duran, 76-76, 76-76.
Underdog Anahi “Panterita” Torres (17-17-2 KO’s) fought a
brilliant fight to capture the Vacant WBC International
Female Light Flyweight Title besting Australian Louisa,
“Bang Bang Lulu” in an 8 round championship bout. Torres
used her experience, a stiff counter jab, and a series of
left hooks and right hands to surprise the formerly
undefeated Hawton.
The fight was close but Torres put an exclamation point on
the last round by connecting with three strong left hooks.
Hawton withstood the punishment and the fight went to the
cards and the judges had it – 79-73, 77-75, 77-75 all in
favor of Torres.
In the opening bout of the evening at the “Fabulous Forum”
unbeaten super featherweight Mario Ramos (4-0, 4 KO’s) of
San Diego, California, kept his unbeaten streak alive by
knocking out overmatched Oscar Quezada (7-6, 4 KO’s) of
Sonora, Mexico, in the first round with a barrage of punches
that left Quezada crumpled in the corner.
The fight was over at 2:19 of the first round.
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