It was a good night for pro boxing in Ogden, Utah, on Friday September 26 as five of six bouts at Rival Series 3 (All Heart Promotions) were competitive fights that went the distance.
It wasn't the main event, but it can be argued that a bout the large crowd at The Golden Spike Event Center enjoyed the most was a four-round junior middleweight fight between Northern Utahns -- and former amateur rivals -- Bobby Tabile and Eligio Hernandez Jr. (In the photo above Tabile is seen landing a right hand). To use a cliche, the fight was a war, particularly in the second and fourth rounds.
Tabile, 2-0, took a unanimous decision over his rival, 1-2. However, both fighters landed a lot of leather and had their moments. After Tabile took the first round, Hernandez rebounded to win the second. As mentioned, both fighters scored well but the difference was Tabile's punches were straighter, often landing in between Hernandez's more wider shots. Tabile, who had cruised through his first two fights, passed a tough test tonight, beating a fighter whose gone the distance in all his fights. Hernandez looked much improved from an earlier decision win this year over Jacob Diaz. Scores were 40-36, and 39-37 twice. Utah Fight Game scored it 39-37 for the winner. A six-round rematch woud be interesting. (More photos of fight are below)
AVELOS DEFEATS ANTONIO CERVANTES
Speaking of six round fights, the two co-mains were slated for that distance. In the main bout, Carson City, Nev., lightweight Christian Avelos (see above at left) scored a narrow unanimous decision over Northern Utah boxer Dyllon Antonio Cervantes. It was a match between the boxer (Avelos) and the aggresive, moving forward, slugging Antonio Cervantes.
It was a close fight with Antonio Cervantes wearing down Avelos and stunning him with a left hook in the sixth round. However, there were too many instances of the boxer Avelos, who had an excellent left jab, counterpunching strongly, landing several punches in a row. The three judges scored the bout 58-56. Utah Fight Game scored it 58-57 for the winner, now 4-3-2. Antonio Cervantes falls to 4-7-1.
HEAVYWEIGHTS LE'I AND BLASKO FIGHT TO A DRAW
In the photo above, heavweights Bishop Le'i (ar right) and Jacob Blasko react to learning they've fought a six round draw. It was an entertaining scrap. One judge scored it 58-56 Blasko; another 59-55 Le'i, and the third with a 57-57 tally. Le'i (3-0-1) and Blasko (2-2-1) fought four years ago, with Le'i scoring a 4th round TKO.
Blasko scored often but Le'i used body shots to his advantage early and later scored shots upstairs too. We mean no disrespect to Mr. Blasko, who fought well, but Utah Fight Game scored the bout 60-55 for Le'i, who seemed to have a slight edge throughout. (More photos below).
MAURO GUTIERREZ SCORES SECOND STRAIGHT WIN
Logan junior lightweight Mauro Gutierrez is proving too tough for debut fighters. Gutierrez (seen above at left) scored a unanimous four-round decision over Rene Mendoza. Gutierrez, who scored a narrower win over debuting Jesus Saldano in June, dominated a game Mendoza the entire fight, scoring a knockdown in round three. Gutierrez, 2-1, was just too experienced, with strong ring generalship. The judges scored the bout 40-35, as did Utah Fight Game.
IN OTHER BOUTS ...
Light heavyweight -- and local trainer -- Shon Cross, 1-1, lost a unanimous decision to Daniel Castro, 3-1, who had not fought for eight years. Castro looked slightly out of shape, but he was aggressive early and constantly landed hard body shots to Cross, whose aggression was not often effective. Castro tired the last two rounds. Utah Fight Game had Castro winning a close bout 39-38. The judges scored it 40-36 twice, and 39-37 for the winner.
The opening bout ended quickly as debuting superwelterweight John Castro stopped Jacob Diaz, 0-5, in the first round. Castro got Diaz in the corner and repeatedly landed left uppercuts until the bout was stopped. Diaz has fought on the three Rival Series cards this year. He's a personable, fit athlete. However, this is his second straight early loss and he might benefit from taking a rest to recuperate and possibly come back to the ring next year.
Attending the fight card was undefeated pro bantamweight Aaron Maximus Garcia, 8-0. The Payson, Utah boxer, a former National Golden Gloves champion, was interviewed by ring announcer Destiny McCubbin. The card was streamed online. Charles Presnell, of The Fight Chatter podcast and Substack page, provided, along with others, commentary.
-- Doug Gibson, at ringside.
