Ruiz, Saldana among pros competing in Ogden boxing card June 21

 

Nearly three years ago, Salt Lake City's Julian Ruiz made his professional boxing debut a successful one. Middleweight Ruiz, (in above photo at left) scored a win over Najeeh Belcher. 

Ruiz has enjoyed a professional career in MMA, fighting on Professional Fighters League and Fierce Fighting Championship cards, compiling a pro record of 4-2, with a long amateur tenure.

But he's returning to the boxing ring Saturday June 21, in Ogden. At the Golden Spike Event Center, 1000 N, 1200 West, Ogden, Utah. Gates open at 6 p.m. Fights start at 7 p.m. Ruiz meets debuting William Wirthlin. There are eight bouts scheduled, all featuring prospects and scheduled for four rounds. It's the second fight card from All Heart Promotions. Promoter is Monica DeCarlo. Matchmaker is Jason DeCarlo.

As he returns to boxing, Ruiz told Utah Fight Game there are key differences between boxing and MMA. It can be tougher to throw boxing-quality punches in an MMA bout, he says. "What I mean by that is they get tired and don’t know how to set things up. Some can throw hard and are good punchers. But boxing is a lot more than that. Huge difference, two different sports. I always say you can train boxing getting ready for an MMA fight. But you can’t train MMA getting ready for a boxing match," adds Ruiz.

"There a lot more muscles and body parts involved. That’s why I like to take (boxing) matches because it sharpens your hands which are the most vital weapons you can have in MMA. "(There's)a lot of grappling, kicking, weight lifting. 

"The strength and conditioning is completely different. The timing is slightly different. The pace is not the same. MMA training camp is a lot more brutal, and makes the boxing seem like an active rest to be honest," adds Ruiz.

Also fighting on the card Saturday is Ogden's Jesus Saldana. The super-featherweight makes his pro debut against Mauro Angel Gutierrez, 0-1. Gutierrez lost a competitive decision earlier this year to Ogden's Isaiah Rodriquez, who is also fighting on the June 21 card.

Saldana (in photo below)  has been an amateur fighter for more than a decade. Utah Fight Game asked him if he has a long-term boxing goal, which he enthusiastically answered with a yes.

Saldana, who jusggles a career in real estate with the "sweet science," saw his opponent's fight earlier this year and with his trainers has a game plan he intends to follow. 

"My training schedule consists of a lot of running, 5-6 miles daily, and lots of sparring with the best boxers from Ogden to Salt Lake City. My love for boxing started 13 years ago when I first stepped foot inside a boxing gym (Marshall White). Some of my favorite boxers include Marvin Hagler, Manny Pacquiao, Julio Cesar Chavez and Erik Morales," said Saldana.

TRAINING

Ruiz is training hard for the bout. "Right now I have Gary Gomez and Sione Pouha as my head coaches. And I train with both pretty much every day, so I’ve been training twice a day. But I work and get help from others, guys that are close friends, even like family to me. Jalel Lopez, Joe Bish and Aaron Garcia have been helping me a lot."

Ruiz' main sparring partner is Isaiah "Chais" Velazco -- also fighting on the card -- but he also spars with boxers Jon Bryant and Aaron Garcia Jr.

"I got so much love for each one of these guys and I look up to each one of them, on top of that they know there stuff. That’s why this is an opportunity to really level up and elevate my game!" Ruiz adds. 

As for his opponent Wirthlin, Ruiz has trained with him in past and says he respects him.

OTHERS ON CARD

There are some intriguing matchups on the Ogden card. Shon Cross, trainer at Factum gym, makes his pro debut at age 33 in a light heavyweight bout. He meets Erik Lopez, 0-1. Also, an interesting heavyweight bout matches Bishop Le'i (3-0-1) versus Trevor Kotara, 4-4-1. 

Isaiah Velazco, debut, meets Dakota Highpine, 0-1, super welterweights; Emmanuel Aldair Gonzales Secion, debut, meet Cruz Guadalupe Carbajal, 0-4, super lightweights; Middleweight Bobby Tabile, 1-0, -- who won on an earlier card this year from All Heart Promotions, fights Jacob Diaz, 0-3. 

As mentioned, featherweight Ogden pro boxer Isaiah Rodriguez, 3-3, also fights Saturday. He meets Jeremiah Lozano, 0-3.

"We are ready for war. Training hard to make the fight easy," Rodriguez said.

Ruiz has shown lots of talent in the cage and ring. He's optimistic about a boxing future.

"I do see myself building my record and having a big super-fight down the road. And I would love to be back on for November (All Heart Promotions card), I already have an opponent in mind. But I have to play it by ear and just see how everything goes!"

Tickets can be bought on fight day or earlier by contacting boxers on card or visiting All Heart Boxing gym, 1968 N. 2000 West, in Farr City, Utah. The boxing event is titled Rival Series II.

-- Doug Gibson

Rodriguez, Alexander, Tabile among winners at Syracuse pro boxing card

 

Recap from Doug Gibson

On Friday night, Feb. 21 at Warehouse 22 in Syracuse, Utah, All Heart Boxing Promotions put on its inaugural professional boxing card. A healthy crowd packed the small arena for 7 bouts, all scheduled for four rounds. There was excellent matchmaking, as six of the seven bouts were competitive.

In the main event, debuting middleweight Bobby Tabile, West Valley City, used consistent pressure to wear down game debuting boxer, Erick Sanchez, of Salt Lake City. It was an accumulation of punches that halted the fight 41 seconds into the third round.

In the semi-main bout between light heavyweights, Demetrius Alexander, Sandy, scored a unanimous decision over Slava Mayzus, of Phoenix, Ariz. The unorthodox Mayzus, 1-2-1, often fighting from a southpaw stance, gave Alexander, 3-3, trouble for two rounds. But Alexander took the last two rounds, scoring a knockdown in the fourth. Scores were 40-35, 39-36 and 38-37. Utah Fight Game scored the bout 39-36 for Alexander. (Above is a photo of Alexander after the bout.)

Ogden super-bantamweight Isaiah Rodriguez improved to 3-3 with a majority decision of debuting Mauro Angel Gutierrez. Rodriguez used ring generalship, a good jab, counterpunching and strong body shots to keep a consistent edge on his aggressive opponent. Scores were 39-37 twice and 38-38. Utah Fight Game, noting it was a competitive match, scored it 40-36 for Rodriguez. (The photo below shows Rodriguez (at left) and Gutierrez in action.)

In a middleweight bout, Eligio Hernandes Jr. 1-1, was more agressive in outpointing Jacob Diaz, 0-3. The fourth round started with a rally from Diaz, of Salt Lake City, but Ogden's Hernandez finished strongly. Scores were 40-36 twice and 38-38. Utah Fight Game scored the bout 40-36 for Hernandez.

In an action-packed fight between lightweights, Dyllon Cervantes Alvarado, of Salt Lake City, 4-4-1, scored a majority decision over Michael Allredge (AKA Castle Noir), 1-1, of West Jordan. The first two rounds were even, but Alvarado controlled the third, scoring a knockdown. Allredge, to his credit, fought on near-even terms in the final round. Scores were 38-38, 39-36, and 38-37. Utah Fight Game scored the bout 40-37 for Cervantes.

In a super-middleweight bout, Clearfield's Joshua Pirela, 2-0, received a TKO win after the first round when his opponent, Keithon Turner, 1-5, Las Vegas, Nev., retired. Pirela controlled the first round.

In the opening bout, Jesus Marin, 1-3, of El Paso, Texas, wore down debuting Gianni Madrid, Salt Lake City. In the bout between lightweights, Marin used his experience advantage with effective aggression. Madrid fought gamely, but the fight was stopped after a left hook dropped Madrid in round four.

According to Jason DeCarlo of All Heart, the promotion plans pro boxing cards on June 11 and November 22. They will be at the Golden Spike exhibition hall in Ogden.

Ogden's Rodriguez among boxers at seven-bout pro card in Syracuse Feb. 21

Ogden pro boxer Isaiah Rodriquez is among 14 boxers who will compete in seven bouts on Friday, Feb. 21 at Warehouse 22 in Syracuse, located at 1068 W 350 South STE A. 

It’s the first promotion for Ogden-based ALL HEART Promotions, although more bouts this year are scheduled. All Heart also has a boxing gym in Farr West.

“Fights start at 7 p.m.,” said Jason DeCarlo of All Heart. The arena opens at 6 p.m. Ticket prices are $65 general admission and $85 VIP." The complete card can be viewed at the BoxRec website.

“We will also be having a show June 21 and November 22. Both will be held at the Golden Spike exhibition hall (in Ogden). The plan going forward is three to four shows a year,” DeCarlo added.

In his young pro career, super bantamweight Isaiah Rodriguez has fought bouts in Utah, Arizona and California. He meets debuting Mauro Angel Gutierrez on Friday night. (In the photo above Rodriguez (at right) is shown winning a decision over Chris Bojorquez on Sept. 9, 2023 in Glendale, Ariz.)

Utah Fight Game chatted with the young prospect prior to this weekend’s bout.

UTAH FIGHT GAME: How is your training going for the bout?

Rodriguez: Training has been great, rough and tough so we are ready for whatever tactics or adjustments we need to make.

UTAH FIGHT GAME: What do you know about your opponent? Any strategy you can share?

Rodriguez: (I don’t know) too much on our opponent. He is also a pro MMA fighter, so we know he will be durable and ready to put up a fight. He seems to be a shorter fellow so we need to utilize our range and really use our boxing to our advantage.

UTAH FIGHT GAME: What are your boxing plans after this bout?

Rodriguez: We plan to keep training hard, staying busy by getting more fights this year and give not only ourselves but the next up-and coming-fighters a light into the reason why we need to work hard in life and in the ring to make all these dreams that we have come true.

Another pro boxer on the card is light heavyweight Demetrius Alexander. The 29 year old fights out of Salt Lake City. He fights Slava Mayzus Friday night. 

Utah Fight Game also interviewed Alexander. (Above is a photo of Alexander (at right) after his Nov. 22, 2024 stoppage win, in Salt Lake City, over Cruz Guadalupe Carbajal.) 

UTAH FIGHT GAME: How is your training going for the bout?

Alexander: My training for this bout has been the best for any bout I’ve ever had. I’ve been locked in for this camp and it’s helped that this is my third fight in six months so I’ve just been staying sharp.

UTAH FIGHT GAME: What do you know about your opponent? Any strategy you can share?

Alexander: I know he’s coming up a couple weight classes but I know he comes out aggressive. I’m prepared to box but I’m also prepared to bang if I have to.

UTAH FIGHT GAME: What are your boxing plans after this bout?

Alexander: I’ll be (taking a) little break from boxing. My first child is due at the end of June and I’ve been training and fighting consistently so it’s time to take a break and spend some time with my family. I do plan on fighting again by the end of the year but I want to take some time to be a good dad.

Tickets are available at the door Friday night. Fighters on the cards can be contacted to get tickets earlier, said DeCarlo.

“The goal is to bring boxing back to Ogden. Ogden’s a great fight town and I’d like to get it there regularly," he added.

Top of Utah heavyweight Gary Cobia to fight former world champ Oliver McCall

 

Despite turning 51, Top of Utah heavyweight boxer Gary Cobia has stayed fit. He's 6 foor 4 inches tall and weights 260 pounds. His last professional fight was in 2015; that same year he scored a win on the undercard of the Mitt Romney versus Evander Holyfield exhibition "boxing match." 

Gary earned a decision win that night, knocking his durable opponent, Fred Spitzenberg, down. After his next fight, a loss to fellow Utahn Jesse West, Cobia retired. He'd enjoyed an extended amateur and pro career. But the fight game never left him and, as mentioned, he was looking for another chance.

And got an extraordinary opportunity. On Tuesday, February 4, in Nashville, Tenn, at the Texas Troubadour Theater, Cobia, who lives in Clearfield, meets former world heavyweight champion Oliver McCall. Thirty years ago, McCall shocked the world by scoring a second-round TKO over Lennox Lewis. He defended the title once before losing it to Frank Bruno. McCall stayed in the heavyweight picture for a couple of decades before retiring. Now, at the age of 59, he is attempting his own comeback. A few months ago he stopped veteran heavyweight Stacy Frazier.

I recently interviewed Cobia, (Seen above, at left, with his trainer, Denys Chernei, a former Ukrainian amateur boxer.) We talked about about his upcoming bout with McCall.  

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How did this opportunity to fight Oliver McCall come about?

Cobia: The opportunity came up when I reached out to his manager, Jimmy Adams, to see if Oliver had opponents. I watched his last fight with Stacy Frazier and after the fight Oliver stated he was going to fight regularly.

When did you start thinking, I'd like to start boxing again?

Cobia: I went through a rough divorce and was dealing with raising my children and I always wanted to redeem myself from my last fight in Wendover. My children are older and in a better place, so that provided a better opportunity now!

Tell  us about your training, and your trainer? Where are you training? 

Cobia: My training consists of alternating days endurance and strength, and then boxing techniques and boxing stamina! A lot of times we just train at VASA in the aerobics room or ar my house in the garage! (I have seen live footage of Gary training with Denys, and the photo above was taken at another gym, Junction City Boxing, in Riverdale.)

Do you have a particular strategy against McCall?

Cobia: Yes, we do have a strategy for McCall. It's' to let him be the aggressor in the first three rounds, I need to move and counter off his punches and just win by (scoring) more points. We're hoping him being (near) 60 years old, after three rounds he may start to tire and then start making mistakes. I'm hoping to capitalize on those mistakes. But, at the end of the day, anything can happen. (The bout is scheduled for six rounds)

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Despite being the younger fighter in the upcoming bout, Cobia acknowledges 51 is a late age for boxing. But the LDS Church Sunday School teacher is in shape, and boasts an impressive physical appearance.

"But I look like I'm 30 because I keep the Word of Wisdom," he said with a smile.