San Juan Championship Boxing Night
Story & Photos By Luis "The Beast"Cadiz

During the course of the year, the boxing public has enjoyed the hit boxing series "San Juan Boxing Nights" presented by local promotional company Puerto Rico Best Boxing. The winning formula has been the same, a packed Coliseito Pedrin Zorrilla with up and coming prospects battling it out in what is called here on the island "boxeo caliente", which literally translated means "hot boxing". In 2005 there were five installments of this boxing program, all televised on the Telefutura channel. This year, the Rivera bros., the minds behind Puerto Rico Best Boxing, treated us with a bonus installment, "San Juan Championship Boxing Night". This time the venue changed, instead of the smaller Pedrin Zorrilla it was moved to the much larger Roberto Clemente Coliseum, and three of the five pay - per - view fights were championship bouts. The Rivera bros. even threw in a heavyweight bout to replace the highly anticipated bout between local favorite Henry "El Nitro" Brusseles and Colombian rival Ricardo "Mochuelo" Torres. Ricardo Torres had to pull out of the event due to an operation on his right hand. Here's all the action, both televised and not televised...

Televised Action

Luciano "El Bruto" Zolyone (22-0-1, 21 KOs) vs. Shannon "The Cannon" Briggs (44-4-1, 38 KOs)

12 rounds WBC Regional Heavyweight Title

It was the first televised bout of the night, which is funny in a way (and not "Ha-Ha" funny) because that means that this heavyweight bout was opening the show for the main event of the evening, a 105 pound championship bout. Heavyweights playing second fiddle to Minimumweights... the big boys in the lime light of the little dudes... you get the idea. But "The Cannon" Briggs reminded us why we love the heavyweighths so much, it's the BIG KOs. But the KO wasn't only huge, but quick too, about 16 seconds. Well, there are conflicting reports that have it at 11 seconds but official word is 16 seconds, either way, it doesn't leave me with much to write. The bell rang, Zolyone is standing, Brigg's murderous right crashes on his face, Zolyone is on the floor and the fight is over. A rejuvenated Shannon Briggs is on the hot track to bigger things now for 2006 with an improved 45-4-1, 39 KO record. Luciano Zolyone goes back to Brazil with a 22-1-1, 21 KO record... and a big headache.

Jose Quintana (12-8-2, 7 KOs) vs. Alex "El Pollo" DeJesus (7-0, 5 KOs)

6 rounds - 135 pounds

With spare time left on the card, since the heavyweight bout was so lightning quick, "El Pollo" was called to fill in the gap. "El Pollo" DeJesus is a former Olympian from the 2004 class and a prospect to watch. A head-butt opened a cut under the former Olympian's right eye in the very first round, but he would weather the storm in his young career. DeJesus knocked Quintana down in the 3rd round with a left hook and basically pounded his way to a unanimous decision win. Alex "El Pollo" DeJesus goes up to 8-0, 5 KOs while Jose Quintana falls to 12-9-2, 7 KOs.

Manuel Sarabia (15-16-6, 10 KOs) vs. Juan Manuel Lopez (7-0, 7 KOs)

6 rounds - 126 pounds

With some extra air time still available, Juan Manuel Lopez was next in line to try and extend the evening's hostilities. Big mistake. Of Juan Manuel's seven KOs, five are in the first round, one in the second and the other in the third. Well guess what, Sarabia almost lasted two rounds. Lopez overpowered and overwhelmed the Mexican in a total of 2 min. and 50 sec. Lopez now stands at 8-0, 8 KOs and Sarabia at 15-17-6, 10 KOs.

Juan "Golo" Gomez Trinidad (23-4, 16 KOs) vs. Daniel "Pipino" Alicea (28-5, 20 KOs)

12 rounds WBC National Title

Juan "Golo" Gomez Trinidad said in the press conference that he would KO Daniel "Pipino" Alicea. At the weigh-in he said the KO would take place in the very first round. Well, action speaks louder than words in this sport. In a savage 2nd round, with "Golo's" cousin, former Puerto Rican champ and idol Felix "Tito" Trinidad, seeing it all at ring side, he was TKOed by "Pipino" in 2 min. and 46 sec. In the post fight press conference, Gomez Trinidad announced his retirement. If he doesn't plan any comebacks, he leaves the sport with a 23-5, 16 KO record, while Daniel "Pipino" Alicea, the one responsible for his retirement, moves up to 29-5, 21 KOs.

Daniel Reyes (35-3-1, 30 KOs) vs. Ivan "Iron Boy" Calderon (23-0, 5 KOs)

12 rounds WBO 105 pound World Title

This was supposed to be a true test of fire for the WBO 105 king, but the "Iron Boy" made it look to easy. I understand that he doesn't pack a punch in his diminute fists, but his boxing ability borders on masterful. His work in the ring is a form of art, love it or hate it, take it or leave it, appreciation is what matters most in this case. During the first 3 rounds, Calderon boxed beautifully... he made Reyes miss repeatedly, he picked his spots of attack, it was his habitual gameplan. Halfway through the fight, Ivan Calderon continues to be an enigma to Reyes. Don't get me wrong though, Daniel Reyes was trying but it's hard to hit what isn't there. It gets worse for the Colombian rival in the 7th when an accidental head-butt opened a cut under his right eye. I'll give Reyes the 10th, in this round he connected a few rights and left hooks here and there. But the "Iron Boy" interrupted the surging foe with some unexpected heated exchanges in the 11th round. Then,the icing on the cake, Calderon staggers Reyes in the 12th and final round with a right cross that sent him reeling to the ropes. Ivan "Iron Boy" Calderon wins with a near blow-out unanimous decision, improves to 24-0, 5 KOs and is heading towards unifying the titles in 2006. Daniel Reyes goes back to Colombia with another loss in his record, now at 35-4-1, 30 KOs, but believe me folks, he really tried.

Non - Televised Action

Norma Faris (Pro - Debut) vs. Marilyn Ortiz (Pro - Debut)

4 rounds 130 pounds

Women with attitudes, in a ring. Norma was heavy handed, every time she connected it would make a "thudding" sound, but Marilyn was the busier of two. It was enough to get Marilyn her first professional win via split decision and give Norma her first professional loss.

Jose Febus (1-3) vs. Orlando Felix (3-0)

4 rounds 130 pounds

Jose Febus is a gutsy kid with a good chin, but not much else. Orlando Felix pounds out a unanimous decision victory and improves to 4-0. Jose Febus goes down another notch to 1-4.

Angel Rivera (1-2) vs. Marcos Jimenez ( 2-0, 1 KO)

4 rounds 130 pounds

It was one of those frantic four rounders, where the fists fly freely. But Marcos Jimenez used his tools better than Rivera, but not by a wide margin. Jimenez gets a majority decision win and goes to 3-0, 1 KO, Rivera goes to 1-3.

Francisco Parra (12-7, 10 KOs) vs. Jose Correa (6-1, 1 KO)

6 rounds 147 pounds

Jose Correa is one of those tall wiry welters, he hits hard but his movement in the ring doesn't make him commit to following up on his opponent. The end result of this action is that he will hurt his opponent during the course of the fight, but then, due to lack of pressure and continuation of blows, the rival will recuperate. Correa wobbled his foe a few times during the fight but the Mexican held his own. Jose Correa moves up the ladder to 7-1, 1 KO and Francisco Parra falls to 12-8, 10 KOs.

Juan Jose Beltran (5-14-2, 2 KOs) vs. Carlos "El Bebe" Valcarcel (7-0, 4 KOs)

6 rounds 118 pounds

Carlos Valcarcel is another former 2004 Olympian who is trying to make his mark and go up the prospect ladder. Eventhough his Mexican rival has 14 losses, he wasn't a push over and he took Valcarcel's best. Beltran attacked effectively, but in spurts. Valcarcel's boxing ability gets him the unanimous decision win as he improves to 8-0, 4 KOs and Juan Jose Beltran adds another loss to his now 5-15-2, 2 KO record.

This event closes the boxing cycle for Puerto Rico Best Boxing Promotions and ends my boxing interventions for the remainder of the year. I wish all Boxing2005 (soon to become Boxing2006) readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Stay tuned because next year, God willing, the events will be bigger and better and I will humbly report all the action live from Puerto Rico. May the Lord Bless you all.

Good bye, God Bless and til next year...