The year just completed provided a number of memorable moments in the boxing ring by fighters from the Rio Grande Valley.
There were some high-profile, televised bouts and long-awaited comebacks along with newcomers to the pro ranks who appear to have success in their futures.
Here is a rundown of fights and fighters from the Valley who stood out and made headlines in 2017:
FIGHT OF THE YEAR
Weslaco middleweight Roberto “La Amenaza” Garcia displayed his ring prowess and experience against Omar Chavez, the son of Mexican boxing legend Julio Cesar Chavez, on Aug. 12 at Gimnasio Nuevo Leon Unido in Monterrey, Mexico.
It was a televised 10-round bout for the vacant WBA silver middleweight title and “Amenaza” prevailed with a unanimous decision (97-92, 96-93, 96-93).
Garcia (43-1, 24 knockouts) recorded his 13th straight victory, while Chavez (36-4-1, 24 KOs) lost for the first time in five outings and was coming off last April’s technical knockout win against Ramon Alvarez, the brother of Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.
The most remarkable thing about the matchup was how one-sided it quickly became.
Garcia was the aggressor from the very beginning and frequently put Chavez against the ropes as he pounded away with shots to the body and head. Chavez never really seemed to go on the offensive for any length of time during any of the 10 rounds, except for a brief comeback attempt before the final bell sounded.
Garcia, 37, went up against an opponent 10 years younger, and in the end, age wasn’t a factor.
“We came to steal the show,” Garcia said following the bout during an interview with Azteca Boxeo, the television network that broadcast the main-event fight internationally. “I fought better than he did, just as I predicted.
“Omar is a strong, young fighter, but I feel he’s ‘green’ (not really accustomed to these pressure situations),” Garcia added. “I’m used to fighting on the home turf of my opponents. I’ve always been used to that and I’m always a (worthy) rival for them. We came here and stole the fight.”
KO OF THE YEAR
Weslaco’s Omar “Panterita” Figueroa Jr., fighting at 147 pounds, won decisively by technical knockout at the 1:31 mark of the third round against Robert Guerrero on July 15 in a main-event fight at renovated Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York.
The bout was televised by Fox Sports, Fox Sports 1 and Fox Deportes.
Figueroa Jr. (27-0-1, 19 KOs) knocked down Guerrero (33-6-1, 18 KOs) five times before winning on a TKO.
It was the Californian’s third straight loss and fourth in his last five fights. He kept getting up against “Panterita,” and even at the end was protesting the referee’s stoppage. But Figueroa Jr.’s numerous right uppercuts took a toll beginning in the second round and there was no question about which fighter won.
“We knew that he was coming in here with some experience, so we knew he would come out a little bit fired up,” “Panterita” said. “(The uppercut) was one of the punches we practiced a lot ... I was able to finish him off (with it).
“That’s the fun part of boxing, that’s what I love about it,” added Figueroa Jr. when asked about Guerrero’s repeated attempts to rally. “He put up a great effort. I respect Robert. It’s an honor and privilege to be sharing the same ring with him and it’s even better to beat him.”
Guerrero announced his retirement soon after the loss.
Both fighters are former world champions, and now it appears Figueroa Jr. has the best chance of the two to capture another world belt at his new preferred weight of 140 pounds. He held the WBC lightweight world title at 135 pounds.
As the new year begins, there is talk Figueroa Jr. might fight Adrien Broner (33-3, 24 KOs) sometime in 2018, possibly on Showtime.
PROSPECT OF THE YEAR
Brandon Lee Figueroa, “Panteria’s” younger brother, a super bantamweight who also fights out of Weslaco, has been on the rise for the past two years. He fought six times in 2016 and four times in 2017, all victories.
In his most recent fight, “Heartbreaker” (14-0, nine KOs) defeated Monterrey, Mexico’s Victor Proa (29-5-2, 22 KOs) on a fourth-round TKO in the main event of a boxing show at the Mercedes Livestock Showgrounds on Oct. 14.
It appears Figueroa will get a chance to fight for a youth world title sometime in early 2018, possibly in February.
COMEBACK OF THE YEAR
Brownsville featherweight Johnny “Blaze” Tapia returned from a 10-month break to defeat a previously undefeated opponent on Sept. 22 at Brownsville’s Amigoland Convention Center.
Displaying power and speed to go with some well-placed punches, Johnny Tapia (8-1, three KOs) gave his boxing career a big boost with a fifth-round TKO win against Irving Tapia (4-1, four KOs).
Despite his recent inactivity, the Brownsville fighter showed no ring rust whatsoever from the outset of his scheduled six-round headline bout against a highly regarded opponent from Mexico City.
“Words can’t explain what this victory means to me, fighting in front of my fans, my city and winning in that fashion,” “Blaze” said after it was all over and his many fans surrounded him to offer congratulations. “My opponent came to fight and he had dynamite in his hands. His punches were heavy, strong and powerful. I’m a fighter, too. If you hurt me, I’m going to come back and hurt you (as well).”
The Brownsville fighter has an important bout coming up Feb. 16 in Reno, Nevada, against former Olympic silver medalist Shakur Stevenson.
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Edinburg lightweight Nelson Hampton (2-0, two KOs) turned pro in late 2017 and decisively won a pair of fights before the arrival of the new year.
His most recent victory came on Nov. 18 against Josue Espinosa when he won by TKO at South Texas Fighting Academy in Palmhurst.
Better things appear to be ahead during the new year for the rising star from Edinburg.
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at rhess@brownsvilleherald.com. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar