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Reynoso Wins Lackluster
Main Event At Doubletree
By Barbara Pinnella
Thompson Boxing Promotions had to put some things together
quickly for Locked and Loaded when their boxing card at the
Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, California fell apart a bit
this Friday night. There were several changes, the most
notable being the fact that Efrain Esquivias was injured in
training and was unable to fight. And while the press was
quite light for this event, there was once again standing
room only with loud and cheering fans.
The main event had Jose “El Nino” Reynoso (15-2-1, 2 KO’s)
going up against Esteban Almaraz (9-4-0, 4 KO’s) in a Light
Welterweight fight that was scheduled for eight rounds.
A rather unimpressive first round that saw a lot of holding
and not a lot of solid punching. More action in the second,
and most of it was by Almaraz until the final seconds of the
round. Then Reynoso really laid some heavy hands on Esteban.
The fourth had a little bit of everything, hitting,
grabbing, and pushing. This is not a pretty fight.
The most consistent and solid hitting started in round six
and continued into the seventh. The eighth and final showed
the same spirit, but when all was said and done this fight
was still a wild and ugly one. As was to be the case all
night, we went to the scorecards. They ended up being 78-74,
76-76, and 77-75. The majority decision went to Jose
Reynoso.
Artemio “The King” Reyes (12-1, 10 KO’s), who just graduated
Riverside Community College with an AA degree in Accounting,
faced off with Chris Gray (13-16, 1 KO) in a fight scheduled
for six in the Welterweight division.
Round one saw continuous action from both fighters – a good
way to start off. A lot of contact in the second round as
well, as the two fighters tried to get the best of their
opponent early.
The third round saw a similar pattern, but Reyes added more
body punches to his arsenal, which seemed to have some
effect at the time. But Gray came out punching to start out
the fourth. A right by Artemio, however, put a temporary
stop to Chris’ attack, as Gray hit the floor.
That knockdown changed the plans of Gray, as in round five
he spent most of the time holding or running, not something
that pleased the fans. The final round was all Artemio, and
we once again went to the scorecards. All of the judges saw
the fight the same, 60-53, all for Artemio Reyes.
In Welterweight action Jonathan Romero (18-0, 11 KO’s) went
up against Cecilio Santos (25-20-3, 15 KO’s) in a fight
scheduled for six rounds. Romero had the much faster hands
in the first round and was able to connect at a higher ratio
than Santos.
Round two saw Santos have a bit more success, but Romero was
still much quicker. Jonathan. The tide turned quickly in the
opening seconds of the third however, as a swooping and
well-placed left hand sent Romero to the canvas. He had a
look of shock on his face as he got up to wait for the
obligatory eight count.
Round four, and both men got in a lot of punches. The fight
was certainly a lot closer now. The fifth was another good
one for Romero. This has become a very interesting fight.
the sixth and final was more of the same, and the judges had
to make the final decision. They saw it 58-55, 58-55, and
59-55 all for Jonathan Romero.
The ladies took to the ring as Sindy Amador (4-0, 1 KO)
faced Cristina Fuentes (1-1-2). This was a Light Flyweight
bout scheduled for four rounds, two minutes each. Both women
came out firing, and that action continued for the first
round. Amador got the best of Fuentes, but Christina was
game.
Second round, more of the same. Round three was the best one
for Fuentes. She was able to connect with a lot of her
punches. Sindy got in some as well, but strong for Cristina.
Round four was back and forth again. What a showing by both
these athletes. The scorecards read 39-37, 39-37, and 40-35,
all for Sindy Amador.
The fight that opened up the evening was the one between
Roberto Crespo making his professional debut against John
Montes (1-1, 1 KO). This fight was in the Welterweight
division and was scheduled for four rounds. The first round
was an action-packed one, with both men landing sharp shots.
Round two found Crespo’s left hand landing at regular
intervals. In the next round it was both the left and the
right. Montes could connect if he got inside but Roberto was
making that very difficult.
In the final round John came back some and was able to
connect, but Crespo was still hitting with the harder blows,
and at the end of the round it was Roberto who was really
laying it on. We went to the scorecards. Two of the judges
saw it 40-36, while the third scored the bout 39-37, all for
Roberto Crespo. He now has his first win as a pro.
So while this was not the strongest event we have seen at
Doubletree, I think Thompson tried to do the best they could
under the circumstances.
Be safe and God Bless,
Viva La Raza,
Barb.
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