Alvarado & Lopez Battle To Draw In Commerce; Mercado Impresses With 1st Round KO - Pound4Pound.com

Alvarado & Lopez Battle To Draw In Commerce; Mercado Impresses With 1st Round KO

By Albert Castillo
Photos: William Trillo

On Saturday night February 12, 2022, from the Commerce Casino In Commerce, California, the triumvirate of Elite Boxing Promotions, Red Boxing Promotions, and All Star Boxing Promotions worked collaboratively and set the bar high by putting together the one of the best fight cards so far this year. The matchmaker is to be commended. Eleven fights were on the card. Every underdog came in ready to brawl and all were in shape. Although all the favorites came out on top many of the matches were close slugfests and one could be considered an upset in that it ended in a draw. Count me in for the next fisticuffs at the Commerce Casino by these three promoters.

In the most entertaining bout of the evening heavy favorite Adrian Alvarado (5-0-1, 3 KO’s) of Los Angeles California, had his hands full with pugnacious Sergio Lopez (4-7-4) of Las Vegas, Nevada, whose record did not indicate the skills that he demonstrated tonight.

Alvarado loaded up the points with crisp jabs and light combinations but it was Lopez who landed the best power punches of the night. Lopez was wily, hard to hit cleanly, and for that reason Alvarado scored often but not with anything that could shake up Lopez. Lopez was economical with his punches but frequently stunned Alvarado with his heavy hands.

The pro Alvarado crowd was deeply disappointed when they heard that the bout was called a majority draw, however this writer thinks it was the right call. Alvarado will be back and get another opportunity to redeem himself. For the record, the judges scorecards read 59-55 for Alvarado while the two others had it 57-57.

Thoroughbred Ernesto Mercado (4-0, 4 KO’s) out of Ontario, California, demolished an overmatched Marc Misiura (2-3-1 KO) knocking him out at 2:58 of the first round. The perfectly physiqued Mercado appears to be the real deal.

He’s tall for a lightweight at 5”10 and he’s lean, mean, and has a brutal arsenal consisting of a deadly right hand. Misiura could not escape the onslaught of Mercado who had him in his sights from the sound of the bell. Mercado is a hot prospect and we look forward to seeing him in the future.

Talented Brandon Cruz (8-2), 5 KO’s) put together a spectacular performance to dominate Jesus Arturo Guzman (8-6, 5 KO’s). After an even first round in which both fighters connected with heavy left hooks Cruz took over connecting on combinations galore for which Guzman had no answer.

Cruz punches were sharp and crisp and he left Guzman dazed after each round. The scores went to the scorecards and all judges had it 40-36 for Cruz.

Alexis Alvarado (4-1, 3 KO’S) out of El Monte, CA bested Kevin Nunez (0-1) in this four round match up. Alvarado was on his game and looked sharp at every turn. He displayed a strong jab, good footwork, and excellent power.

He connected with many combinations and hooks that landed with a thud on the jaw of Nunez. Although he couldn’t put Nunez down Alvarado was in complete control the entire fight. All judges agree giving a unanimous decision to Alvarado 40-36, 40-36, 40-36.

In this 4 round non-stop action bout Jose Elias (3-0) remained unbeaten as he outlasted Mario Aguirre (3-15-1, 2 KO’s). The fight was all action from the start with Elias connecting hard and often. Aguirre was no slouch and did some noteworthy bodywork.

He was much tougher than his record indicates and he came to win. However, Elias proved to be too strong and in the end Elias garnered a unanimous decision winning 40-36 on all of the judges' scorecards.

After absorbing a left hook to the chin Francisico Casillas (2-0, 2 KO) out of Maywood, CA, unleashed a ferocious right hand that dropped Larry Romero in the center of the ring at 27 seconds of the first round.

Romero face planted and was completely out for at least 15 seconds until he finally came to. Casillas has scary power and cant wait to see this young man in action again.

Merari Vivar (5-0, 1 KO) continued her winning ways by defeating Elizabeth Tuani (1-6) by unanimous decision. All judges scored 40-36 for Vivar.

In this lackluster bout Stephanie Chavez, (1-0) in her first pro fight earned her first pro win defeating Dawn Mazarakis (0-2) in a four rounder by unanimous decision winning 40-36 on al judges cards.

Hard punching Armand Manuelian (2-0, 1 KO) delivered two blows to the solar plexus of Calvin Glover (0-4), the first of which put Glover down for the 10 count, the second of which put him down for good. Manuelian by knockout at 1:57 of the first round.

Joshua Garcia (3-0, 2 KO’s) demonstrated tremendous potential tonight scoring a unanimous decision over Anel Dudo (1-3, 1 KO). Garcia has fast hands, good power, and excellent speed. The last 20 seconds of the fight saw Dudo land some big punches but Garcia’s chin was rock solid and he returned fire and finished strong.

He is still raw but with trainer Manny Robles in his corner it is expected that Garcia will be someone to be reckoned with in the future. Judges had it 40-36, 39-37, and 39-37 all for Garcia.

In the opening bout of the evening two young novice boxers left nothing to chance as they pummeled each other with left and rights.

They both connected hard and often until Nicholas Rubalcado (1-1) 1 KO, connected squarely on the chin of Jaime Rios (0-1) with a devastating right hook spoiling the debut of Rios. Rubalcado wins by knockout at 30 seconds of the third round.